Namibia adopts AfDB’s RASME, joins 37 African countries in digital project monitoring drive

Namibia has become the latest African nation to embrace digital innovation in development project oversight, following the official launch of the Remote Appraisal, Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (RASME) initiative in Windhoek.

The African Development Bank (AfDB), in collaboration with Namibia’s Ministry of Finance, unveiled the project on Wednesday, making Namibia the 38th country to adopt the cutting-edge platform designed to improve accountability, efficiency, and transparency in project delivery across the continent.

RASME leverages Kobo Toolbox, an open-source ICT solution developed by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, to collect and transmit real-time project data from implementation sites. The system overcomes traditional barriers of distance, logistics, and security that have long undermined effective monitoring in Africa.

With over 56,000 project data submissions already generated across 37 African countries, and more than 1,880 personnel trained, the initiative is fast becoming a cornerstone of development evaluation in the region. AfDB’s Corporate IT department leads the technical deployment, working with the World Bank’s GEMS and Kobo Toolbox teams.

Speaking at the launch, Michael Humavindu, Executive Director at Namibia’s Ministry of Finance, hailed the innovation:
“AfDB RASME IT solution comes at an opportune time as it uses new information and communication technologies to optimize the collection, analysis, and management of data within the framework of the preparation, evaluation, and supervision of projects funded by the Bank.”

AfDB’s Principal Regional Coordinator, Fidelis Mnyanyi, emphasised the continental scope of the programme, noting that RASME is central to the Bank’s mission of driving inclusive growth through its “High-5” development priorities.
“RASME will enhance how we collect, verify, and use project data, enabling faster decision-making, stronger supervision, and more visible results on the ground,” he said.

Ahead of the launch, AfDB organised a three-day in-person training session (6–8 August 2025) for Namibian Project Management Units overseeing Bank-funded initiatives. Participants included staff from the Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement Project, the Development Bank of Namibia, the Transport Infrastructure Improvement Project, the City of Otjiwarongo Wastewater and Solid Waste Project, the Water Sector Support Programme, and the Tax Administration Technical Assistance Project.

The adoption of RASME by Namibia strengthens a growing Pan-African movement towards digital governance and evidence-based policy-making. By streamlining data collection and improving oversight, the initiative is expected to enhance development outcomes and accelerate progress toward continental goals.