AfDB Launches Digital Project Management Tool in Namibia

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched the Remote Appraisal, Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (RASME) project in Windhoek, marking a significant step forward in digital development project management in Namibia.

The initiative kicked off with three days of in-person training for Project Management Units from 6 to 8 August, followed by an official launch attended by AfDB officials, government representatives, and personnel from key development projects, including the Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement project, Transport Infrastructure Improvement, and Water Sector Support Programme.

RASME harnesses digital technology to capture real-time project data from implementation sites, addressing long-standing challenges in monitoring and evaluation. Built on the Kobo Toolbox platform, developed by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, the system improves transparency, accountability, and data collection efficiency, even in regions facing logistical or security constraints.

Already operational in 37 African countries, RASME has trained over 1,880 people and generated more than 56,000 data submissions, helping streamline oversight across multiple sectors. AfDB’s Corporate IT department leads technical deployment in collaboration with the World Bank’s GEMS and Kobo Toolbox teams.

Michael Humavindu, executive director at Namibia’s Ministry of Finance, praised the initiative, stating: “RASME uses new information and communication technologies to optimise the collection, analysis, and management of data for AfDB-funded projects.”

AfDB principal regional coordinator Fidelis Mnyanyi added: “RASME will enhance how we collect, verify, and use project data, enabling faster decision-making, stronger supervision, and more visible results on the ground.”