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COVID-19 is an unprecedented global crisis with numerous implications. In addition to compromised health, this pandemic presents vast socio-economic issues, many of which disproportionately impacts developing countries where income losses are predicted to reach at least US $220 billion. In Namibia, immediate effects are being felt among underserved communities and those reliant on tourism, as well as people dependent on imports and Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) now struggling to cope with business closures and declining revenue streams. With prevailing measures on lockdown, increased self-isolation measures in place, international flight suspensions and closed borders, there will be more repercussions to come that compromise government service delivery and livelihoods, particularly among the informal sector.
Now more than ever, innovation is needed in order to identify disruptive responses to the complex problems Namibians face due to COVID-19. How can systems be reimagined? How can we look at traditional models in new ways? How can the digital tools at our disposal lead to relevant breakthroughs? In doing so, we can help ensure a safer and stronger future, leaving no person behind.
We invite the innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, dreamers, visionaries, creatives and the out of the box thinkers to participate in UNDP’s Accelerator Lab Namibia’s #ServiceInnovationHack prototype challenge as we come together to find #NextGen solutions to service delivery brought about by COVID19!