NamRA to accelerate digital transformation

PHILLEPUS UUSIKUAccelerating digital transformation will play a key role in ensuring that the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRa) becomes a world class revenue agency in order to positively impact the livelihoods of every Namibia.The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRa) joined other customs administrations and members of the World Customs Organization to celebrate the international customs day. This is the first celebration since the launch of the agency last year.The celebration took place yesterday and was held under the theme 'scaling up customs digital transformation by embracing a data culture and building a data ecosystem’. At the occasion, the agency received a donation of laptops from the Namibia Nature Foundation.Speaking at the event, NamRa’s commissioner, Sam Shivute, pointed out that without digital transformation, it is not possible to achieve the world class status.The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the pace of digital transformation which led to a surge in digital platforms ranging from electronic commerce, digital payment methods and the provision of electronic services from both the public and private sectors.“The development of an automated clearance system lies at the heart of our digital transformation journey,” Shivute said.The transformation of digital technology provides a unique opportunity for customs administrations to tap into data from other government offices, ministries and agencies and other sources.That is in addition to data collected on its traders and enforcement activities, to accelerate digitalisation across the customs community while further promoting connectivity, interoperability and collaboration among all trade stakeholders, Shivute added.History“Even though customs clearance plays a significant role in today’s customs workplace, you have also heard that it was not always this way as Namibia predominantly relied on paper-based Customs processes which negatively affected the movement of goods and people across borders.Therefore, the theme for this year’s international customs day reminds us that the technology landscape will continue to change rapidly.”The commissioner called on each and every staff member to have access to the right data to enable the institution to adopt progressive approaches such as data analytics to collect and successfully exploit data to drive trade and to facilitate the reinvention of the way they do business.“NamRA takes pride in the steps that we have taken towards digital transformation. The various customs modernisation systems such as Asycuda World, Container Control Program, Non-intrusive Scanners and Unique Consignment Reference are clear evidence that we are on the right path to transform customs by scaling up digital transformation. We will continue working hard together with our partners, to make our customs administration a world-class service,” the commissioner said. “Leaving no one behind means leaving no one offline,” he pointed out.NamRA has a great role to play in enabling the government to foster economic recovery, sustainable growth and social development for the best interest of all Namibians, Shivute concluded.-phillep@nmh.com.na

NamRA to accelerate digital transformation

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-15

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NamRA to accelerate digital transformation

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-15

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