Niël Terblanché
The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Namibia recently took part in the 6th General Assembly of the Association of African Public Service Commissions (AAPSCOMS), held from 6 to 8 November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Hosted by Kenya’s Public Service Commission, the conference brought together over 100 international delegates from 10 African nations, along with 200 local Kenyan delegates representing ministries, state departments, and independent offices.
This year’s theme, “Driving Public Service Delivery Transformation through Innovation and Technology,” set the stage for a dialogue on reshaping public administration across Africa.
Namibia’s delegation was led by PSC Chairperson Salmaan Jacobs and included Commissioners Florence Munyungano and Gerson Kamatuka, along with Tangeni Haitula, Director of Human Resources Compliance, and Helga R. Mbingeneeko, Chief Human Resource Policy Analyst.
Jacobs said in a report about the conference that the Namibian team engaged in discussions centred on advancing public service delivery by incorporating technology and citizen-focused approaches.
The gathering was a new milestone in strengthening collaboration among African Public Service Commissions, as it celebrated the anniversary of AAPSCOMS, an association established in 2008 to strengthen African public sector governance.
“A key focus of the assembly was examining how technological innovation could drive efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, with an emphasis on citizen needs and expectations,” he said.
According to Jacobs, the conference also focused on the necessity of integrating modern technology with traditional service delivery models to create robust and adaptable public sector systems while African nations face rapidly evolving challenges in public administration.
He said the discussions covered several critical areas, including transitioning from manual to digital processes, building citizen trust in new technologies, and ensuring that public service delivery remains ethical and efficient.
“representatives felt that technology in public administration should not merely replace older systems but should be implemented thoughtfully, with citizen engagement and satisfaction as core goals,” he said.
Another theme explored during the conference was the idea of a citizen-centric public service.
“Participants deliberated on how public sectors across Africa could pivot towards a model that prioritizes the needs of citizens, encouraging governments to take a more responsive and accountable approach,” Jacobs said.
He added that the Namibian representatives shared insights on strategies for enhancing public trust and transparency, underlining the importance of ethical standards in public service to bolster citizen engagement.
Another key area of focus was the role of research in policymaking.
“The Namibian delegation, alongside other African counterparts, advocated for comprehensive research frameworks that inform effective policy decisions. By leveraging data and evidence-based research, public service commissions can address issues with precision, adapt to societal changes, and implement reforms that meet citizens’ needs,” he said.
According to Jacobs, the assembly also included an election of new AAPSCOMS leadership.
Ambassador Anthony Muchiri from Kenya assumed the role of President, with Professor Tunji Olaopa of West Africa, Lady Justice (Rtd) Hamisa Kalombola of East Africa, and Professor Somadoda Fikeni of South Africa appointed as Vice Presidents.
According to Jacobs, the commitment to building on the momentum generated in Nairobi would only be possible through partnerships, shared resources, and a unified vision, the association aims to tackle the complexities of public administration in a rapidly advancing technological landscape.
