The Namibian government has appointed professional services network Deloitte Emerging Markets and Africa MD Dr Martyn Davies to its Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Task Force.

The eight-member panel, which was announced this week and was appointed by President Hage Geingob of Namibia, is set to assist the Namibian government to prepare for the 4IR during its 12-month tenure.

Davies is also the Deloitte Africa Automotive sector lead, as well as the dean of the Deloitte Alchemy School of Leadership.

“It really is a great honour to be recognised by the President of Namibia for this role. It is imperative that African countries both embrace and enable technological change and that the State becomes more entrepreneurial,” Davies said.

The task force is chaired by Professor Anicia Peters, pro-vice chancellor of research, innovation and development at the University of Namibia. 

“The task force is responsible for conducting a country assessment to determine the readiness of Namibia for 4IR and make recommendations towards a coordinated and coherent policy and legislative framework,” Geingob said in a statement.

Outlining what he hoped to contribute, Davies noted: “It is very early days, but we have to start somewhere, and some small initial wins can quickly scale and feed into the narrative of Namibia being viewed as a technology-focused economy similar to how Rwanda has done this in recent times.”

Davies said he hopes to influence and shape economic thinking in South Africa’s north-westerly neighbour.

“After all, it’s not about resources, it’s about talent and how the country generates, attracts and mobilises it,” he said.

Davies has been with Deloitte since 2015. He has built his career and profile on advising multinational companies and governments on market entry strategies into emerging markets.

His appointment follows Deloitte South Africa’s signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to share technical expertise in support of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution South Africa.