… implementation expected to take around 16 months
The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) plans to invest about N$40 million in a new Integrated Pension Administration System (IPAS) aimed at digitising pension administration and improving access to services for members.
GIPF Chief Operating Officer Elvis Nashilongo said less than N$5 million has been spent on the project so far, with implementation expected to take about 16 months.
The system is being developed by Kenyan technology company Cystech, with local support from Apex Business Solutions.
“We have enlisted the services of a company called Cystech. Cystech is from Kenya. The cost is expected to be in the region of N$40 million once the system is implemented, but so far we have spent less than N$5 million. The implementation is expected to take around 16 months,” Nashilongo said.
He disclosed the figures while outlining GIPF’s digital transformation programme during the Africa Public Service Day commemorations.
Once operational, IPAS will allow GIPF members to access pension services remotely, monitor claims, track Pension-Backed Home Loan applications, review contribution histories and calculate projected retirement benefits using smartphones or USSD services.
The system will also allow employers to submit contributions electronically, while regulators and the GIPF board will have access to real-time reporting and oversight through integrated dashboards.
According to Nashilongo, the platform is expected to reduce administrative costs, strengthen governance and shorten turnaround times for pension services.
GIPF has signed memorandums of understanding with the Namibia Revenue Agency, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs and participating financial institutions to facilitate data sharing through the platform.
“The objective of this system is that all data we are deriving from these institutions will be managed and obtained at the press of a button. We hope to manage our database much better, and the result will be efficient service delivery to our members,” Nashilongo said.
He said effective implementation will require collaboration between GIPF members, employers and government institutions to ensure accurate information is maintained across the system.
As part of its broader digitalisation drive, GIPF has also deployed handheld verification devices to nearly 60 constituencies, allowing pensioners to access verification services closer to where they live.
