Lesotho and AfDB Launch Remote Monitoring Initiative to Enhance Project Data Collection

Moseme emphasized the initiative’s potential, stating, "Ensuring open and transparent reporting of our development initiatives is central to our mission.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Lesotho have launched a pioneering initiative using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to improve project data collection and evaluation. Known as the Remote Appraisal, Supervision, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RASME) project, this innovative solution aims to digitally gather project data from the field, offering greater transparency and accountability in project monitoring and evaluation.

The RASME project, officially launched in Maseru on August 29, 2024, by Ms. Mahlape Moseme, Director of Policy and Strategic Planning at Lesotho's Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and Herbert Chinokoro representing the AfDB's Country Manager for Lesotho, Kennedy Mbekeani, promises to transform how project data is collected and analyzed across African countries.

Moseme emphasized the initiative’s potential, stating, "Ensuring open and transparent reporting of our development initiatives is central to our mission. Reliable data accessible anytime and anywhere is crucial for effective project management and continuous improvement."

RASME is powered by Kobo Toolbox, an open-source platform developed by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The tool is especially useful in regions with logistical challenges, instability, or insecurity, and has already been implemented in 34 African countries, with over 6,100 project submissions and 1,650 people trained.

Herbert Chinokoro noted, "RASME reflects our collective commitment to strengthening Lesotho’s data ecosystem. It ensures that development projects are planned, implemented, and evaluated based on sound evidence."

Training sessions for the initiative were held from August 29–30, 2024, in Maseru, with attendees from various AfDB-financed projects, including the Lesotho Tax Modernisation Project, Lesotho Lowlands Water Development and Sanitation Phase III Project, and the e-Government Infrastructure Phase II Project.

This initiative highlights the growing importance of ICT in improving the efficiency of development projects and ensuring better resource management through data-driven decision-making.