Namibia adopts AfDB’s RASME digital platform to transform project monitoring
Namibia has officially joined the growing list of African countries adopting advanced digital solutions for development oversight with the launch of the Remote Appraisal, Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (RASME) project. The initiative was introduced on Wednesday in Windhoek through a partnership between senior government officials and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
RASME represents a game-changing approach to tracking development projects. By harnessing real-time digital data collection directly from project sites, the platform removes traditional barriers that have long hindered transparency and effective supervision.
A new era of digital project monitoring
Built on the Kobo Toolbox platform – an open-source ICT solution developed by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative – RASME addresses critical challenges in monitoring projects across regions affected by accessibility issues, security risks, or logistical constraints. The system enhances accountability while streamlining data collection and analysis, ensuring faster and more reliable decision-making.
Already active in 37 African countries, RASME has trained over 1,880 people and facilitated more than 56,000 data submissions. In Namibia, it will strengthen the management of AfDB-financed initiatives across multiple sectors, from agriculture and transport to water and tax administration.
AfDB and Namibia strengthen development oversight
The African Development Bank’s Corporate IT department is spearheading the technical deployment of RASME in Namibia, working alongside the World Bank’s GEMS team and Kobo Toolbox developers to ensure smooth integration.
Michael Humavindu, Executive Director at Namibia’s Ministry of Finance, praised the launch: “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.”
Fidelis Mnyanyi, Principal Regional Coordinator at AfDB, highlighted the initiative’s impact, noting: “RASME will enhance how we collect, verify, and use project data, enabling faster decision-making, stronger supervision, and more visible results on the ground.”
From August 6 to 8, 2025, three days of in-person training were held for Project Management Units, including participants from the Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement project, the Development Bank of Namibia, the Namibia Transport Infrastructure Improvement project, the City of Otjiwarongo Wastewater and Solid Waste Management project, the Water Sector Support Programme, and the Tax Administration Technical Assistance project.
With the adoption of RASME, Namibia is advancing its commitment to transparent governance and effective delivery of development projects.
