Namibia’s Parliamentary Library, as part of the National Assembly’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and the E-Parliament Strategy, plans to establish a central digital archive using the open-source platform D-Space.
Speaking at the opening of the 22nd Annual Conference of the Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa (APLESA), Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, said this initiative will digitise key documents including debates, committee reports, and ministerial statements to promote transparency, preserve institutional memory, and foster greater civic engagement.
“The 2023-2027 National Assembly Strategic Plan and the E-Parliament Strategy support the digitisation of Parliamentary processes by improving access to online documents such as Committee Reports and Order Papers. Furthermore, the library envisions establishing a central digital archive (using the open-source platform D-Space) to provide easy access to key Parliamentary records, such as debates, committee reports, and ministerial statements for Members of Parliament, staff, and the public,” she said.
She further explained the importance of digital libraries in promoting transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. She noted that Namibia had taken a historic step with the enactment of the Access to Information Act in 2022, which affirms the right of every citizen to access public information. The ongoing digitisation of parliamentary records, she said, is critical to realising this right.
“Transparency and accountability are promoted and upheld in the process. Digitalisation plays a significant role towards the effective implementation of this law through online platforms. The envisaged appointment of an independent Information Commissioner will complement this effort,” she said
However, the Speaker also acknowledged the challenges many parliaments face, including inadequate ICT funding, copyright complexities, and low levels of digital literacy. She emphasised the need to capacitate parliamentary staff and members to fully leverage digital tools.
“Lack of digital literacy can also severely hinder access to and use of digital resources. As we transition, we need to capacitate the stakeholders, who are the staff and members of Parliament to ensure that the digitalisation process is fully optimised,” she said.
