NamRA and IUM sign MoU
Partnering for smarter revenue and research management
The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the International University of Management (IUM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in data analytics, research and student experiential learning.The agreement, signed in Windhoek last Thursday, is expected to enhance the agency's ability to make data-driven decisions that improve tax compliance and revenue collection.
The five-year MoU is one of the first in the country. NamRA is keen on partnering with institutions of higher learning, given that the agency is a young entity.
NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating the importance of leveraging IUM’s expertise. “We concede that we may not have the capacity to be able to do this on our own; therefore we get people who do have the capacity to do so.”
Wealth of information
Shivute also touched on the wealth of information NamRA holds, including taxpayer and customs data.
“Anybody who carries out any economic activity is expected to register with us as a taxpayer, whether they register for income tax or Pay as You Earn (PAYE), or all sorts of tax. We also have further data as it relates to customs and excise. Anything leaving or entering the country is recorded on our system, and we need to find use for that kind of information, and see what the trends are.”
IUM Vice-Chancellor Prof Osmund Mwandemele echoed these sentiments, noting that students will gain hands-on experience with real-world data.
Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, NamRA’s Chief of Strategic Communications and Support Engagements, elaborated on the importance of the collaboration. “As NamRA we are saying that we have a lot of data, and where we are headed to, we need to ensure that we can effectively mine the data we have.”
Ndorokaze stressed the need for expertise in data analysis, stating, “We know that IUM has the capacity in terms of their student population and the studies that they offer. They will be able to utilize this information so that it can be translated into solutions; solutions that will then ensure that we are able to function better.”
Modernisation
Shivute stressed that this initiative is part of NamRA’s broader modernisation strategy. “We are excited about it because it gives us an opportunity to mine the data that we have. If we do not use [data] efficiently, we will lag behind. By working with IUM, we are ensuring that Namibia remains at the forefront of smart governance.”
IUM is the first Namibian institution to partner with NamRA locally, however, internationally, NamRA has partnered with Stanford University and Columbia University in New York.
Shivute invites more Namibian institutions to partner with NamRA, stating that it will not only benefit the institutions involved but Namibia as a whole. - [email protected]