The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has expressed its readiness to cooperate and provide technical support to member states. This will help them meet their national aspirations as well as continental and global goals. Some of which include the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

The ECA’s Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa Acting Director, Sizo Mhlanga, stated this during a Government of the Republic of Namibia stakeholder validation workshop. The workshop delved into the country’s efforts to create an integrated performance management framework. This is a framework that would contribute to the effective and efficient delivery of services to its citizens.

The Office of the Prime Minister, the ECA and the European Union co-hosted the two-day virtual national validation workshop. It was under the theme: ‘Enhancing the Performance Management System of the Government of the Republic of Namibia: Towards an Integrated Performance Management System’.

Developing a National Strategy

Meanwhile, Mr. Mhlanga indicated that the ECA is currently supporting the Government of Namibia in developing a national strategy for the implementation of the AfCFTA. He indicated that the ECA is doing this through the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade, and SME Development of Namibia.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides the opportunity for Africa to create the world’s largest free trade area. It has the potential to unite more than 1.2 billion people in a $2.5 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development.

Trading started officially on January 1, 2021, signalling the commencement of Africa’s journey to market integration. This was after it was postponed for six months last year following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The AfCFTA has its secretariat situated in Accra, the capital of West Africa’s second largest economy, Ghana. As of 5^th February 2021, 36 countries have deposited their instruments of ratification.

Integration of performance management systems

Meanwhile, the Acting Director congratulated the Government of the Republic of Namibia for embarking on an important integrating initiative. This was integrating the performance management systems of the civil service and that of the Public Office Bearers (POBs) into one comprehensive and coherent framework.

“The critical role that an effective and efficient performance management system plays in any organization cannot be overemphasized. Performance measurement is fundamental to delivery of improved services & results, and to facilitating accountability”.
Mhlanga

Also, Susan Ntema, observed that for the public service to succeed, it must have the support of both the country’s political and administrative leadership at all levels.

However, the Director of Performance Management in the Office of the Prime Minister’s Office noted that a few bottlenecks are yet to be ironed out. One of which is the absence of an automated M&E and reporting system. Others are non-adherence to timelines and insufficient institutional arrangements.

Furthermore, in his opening remarks, the Executive Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Nashandi applauded the ECA and the EU for their continuous support. Especially, the support provided to the Government of the Republic of Namibia in its efforts to enhance its Performance Management System.