ICTS and e-Governance in Africa
Main Article Content
Keywords
ICTs, Technology, Governance, Governments
Abstract
Information and Communication Systems (ICTs) have widely affected the world of governance which has led to a growth in e-governance in African countries. Public institutions have slowly adapted ICTs in order to achieve new levels of efficiency and more effective means of service delivery. These technologies continue to strengthen not only communication with society, but also further fosters the accountability and transparency of governments and government officials. A common dispute against ICTs in Africa is based on the knowledge that some African countries have a questionable ICT readiness due to weak infrastructure. For instance, Frans and Pather (2021:1) elaborate on the costliness of data in a country like South Africa which has easily led to numerous households having minimal access to the internet. Furthermore, due to high levels of poverty and rural areas in some African countries, many people do not have access to smartphones, nevertheless data or internet connection. However, in this time, the Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated the need to be 'in the know' for many people, which has thus led to a high demand for ICTs in countries (Frans and Pather, 2021:1). With the assistance and utilisation of secondary sources, this paper aims to highlight the benefits that come with incorporating ICTs in government as a mechanism to foster a relationship between government and its people. Through the consideration and incorporation of governance principles such as accountability, transparency, decision-making and participation, this paper will elaborate on how these principles can be achieved in African countries through the use of ICTs in governance. This research will further observe the following countries as case studies: Ghana, Rwanda, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa. The study analyses these countries’ approaches in incorporating ICT and how it has benefitted them and will further benefit them. It will explore various aspects that determine a country's ICT readiness whilst further considering the risks, limitations and benefits that an incorporation of ICTs in governance brings.
Keywords: ICTs, Technology, Governance, Governments
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References
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Kpessa-Whyte, M. and Dzisah, J. (2022). Digitalisation of basic services in Ghana: State of policies in action and lesson for progress. INCLUDE.
Kruger, A. (2022). New online driving licence services launched in South Africa – how it works. Available from: https://economy24.co.za/2022/02/new-online-driving-licence-services-launched-in-south-africa-how-it-works/ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
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Mukherjee, M. and Roy, S. (2016). Application of ICT in Good Governance. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering, 6 (3), 276-279.
Naidoo, G. (2012). Implementation of E-government in South Africa-successes and challenges: the way forward. International Journal of Advances in Computing and Management, 1(1), 62-66.
National Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Policy, 2019.
Pandey, D. L., and Risal, N. (2020). E-governance: A study of the concept and implementation in the emerging economy. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, 4(2), 93-101.Fukuyama, F. (2013). What Is Governance?. Center for Global Development, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.22495/cgsrv4i2p9
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Tahiru, F., Tei Asare, B., Asante, G., and Agbesi, S. (2020). Internet Access and Cost and Its Impact on Citizens Engagement on E-Government Services. In TPRC48: The 48th Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3748400
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Ysa, T., Albareda, A. and Forberger, S. (2014). What is governance. In: P. Anderson, G. Bühringer and J. Colom, eds., Reframing addictions: policies, processes and pressures. ALICE-RAP, 8–16.
Zaied, A. N. H., Ali, A. H., and El-Ghareeb, H. A. (2017). E-government adoption in Egypt: Analysis, challenges and prospects. International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, 52(2), 70-79. https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V52P212
Bannister, F. and Connolly, R. (2012). Defining e-Governance. e-Service Journal, 8(2), 3-25. https://doi.org/10.2979/eservicej.8.2.3
Ben-Ari, N. (2014). Big dreams for Rwanda’s ICT sector. Available from: https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2014/big-dreams-rwanda%E2%80%99s-ict-sector#:~:text=ICT%20improving%20transparency&text=According%20to%20the%20World%20Bank,apply%20for%20a%20visa%20online. (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Bhuvana, M., and Vasantha, S. (2020). Role of information and communication technology (ICT) for rural development through e-governance initiatives. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(8), 2705-2713.
Biswas, A. (2023). Good Governance: Definitions, 8 Characteristics, And Importance. Available from: https://schoolofpoliticalscience.com/what-is-good-governance/ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Chanyagorn, P., and Kungwannarongkun, B. (2011). ICT readiness assessment model for public and private organizations in developing country. International journal of information and education technology, 1(2), 99-106. https://doi.org/10.7763/IJIET.2011.V1.17
Corrigan, T. (2020). Africa’s ICT infrastructure: Its present and prospects. South African Institute of International Affairs, 1- 8.
Dike, E. E. (2018). E-governance and administrative efficiency: Issues and challenges. International Journal of Innovative Research in Education, Technology & Social Strategies, 6(1), 184-194.
Economy Middle East. (2023). An inside look into Telecom Egypt’s operations and future plans. Available from: https://economymiddleeast.com/news/an-inside-look-into-telecom-egypts-operations-and-future-plans/ (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Egypt Today staff. (2022). Investments in Egypt’s ICT sector to hit LE67.1B in FY 2022/23. Available from: https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/3/120888/Investments-in-Egypt-s-ICT-sector-to-hit-LE67-1B (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Enaifoghe, A., Dlamini, N. P., Jili, N. N., and Mthethwa, R. (2023). The Role of E-Government as Enabler of Good Governance for Socio-Economic Development in South Africa. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 6(1), 493-508.
Fasenfest, D. (2010). Government, governing, and governance. Critical Sociology, 36(6), 771-774. https://doi.org/10.1177/0896920510378192
Frans, C. and Pather, S. (2022). Determinants of ICT adoption and uptake at a rural public-access ICT centre: A South African case study. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 14(6),1575-1590. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2021.1975354
Gisselquist, R. M. (2012). Good governance as a concept, and why this matters for development policy (No. 2012/30). WIDER Working Paper.
Global Cybersecurity Index. (2014). Global 2014 results. Available from: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Cybersecurity/Documents/GCI_Global_2014_results.pdf (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Global Cybersecurity Index. (2017). Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2017. Available from: https://securitydelta.nl/media/com_hsd/report/145/document/Global-Cybersecurity-Index-2017-Report.pdf (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Global Cybersecurity Index. (2020). Global Cybersecurity Index 2020: Measuring commitment to cybersecurity. Available from: https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-d/opb/str/D-STR-GCI.01-2021-PDF-E.pdf (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Hafsa, N. E. (2019). Mixed methods research: An overview for beginner researchers. Journal of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, 58(1), 45-48.
Harrisburg, K. and Mensah, K. (2022). As young Africans push to be online, data cost stands in the way. Available from: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/as-young-africans-push-to-be-online-data-cost-stands-in-the-way/ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Hassan, R. (2022). Factors Affecting Egyptians Adoption of E-government Using Extension of the UTAUT Model after COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 12(7), 327-341. https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.12.07.2022.p12740
Hassan, R. (2023). Egypt’s Booming ICT Sector Faces Rising Cybersecurity Challenges. Available from: https://businessmonthlyeg.com/egypts-booming-ict-sector-faces-rising-cybersecurity-challenges/ (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
International Trade Administration. (2022). Egypt - Country Commercial Guide. Available from: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/egypt-information-and-communications-technology-and-digital-economy#:~:text=The%20Information%20and%20Communications%20Technology%20%28ICT%29%20sector%20in,fiscal%20year%202020%2F2021%20compared%20to%204.4%25%20in%202019%2F2020. (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
International Trade Administration. (2022). Kenya - Country Commercial Guide. Available from: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/kenya-information-communications-and-technology-ict (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
International Trade Administration. (2022). South Africa- Country Commercial Guide. Available from: https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/south-africa-information-technology (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
International Trade Administration. (2023). Ghana - Country Commercial Guide. Available from: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ghana-information-and-communications-technology-ict (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
ITWeb reporter. (2023). Kenya backs ICT sector to increase productivity, competitiveness. Available from: https://itweb.africa/content/8OKdWqDXjl9qbznQ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Khan, H. A. (2017). Globalization and the challenges of public administration: Governance, human resources management, leadership, ethics, e-governance and sustainability in the 21st century. Springer.
Kpessa-Whyte, M. and Dzisah, J. (2022). Digitalisation of basic services in Ghana: State of policies in action and lesson for progress. INCLUDE.
Kruger, A. (2022). New online driving licence services launched in South Africa – how it works. Available from: https://economy24.co.za/2022/02/new-online-driving-licence-services-launched-in-south-africa-how-it-works/ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Lilako, B. (2022). Digital Trade Developments in Kenya: Perspective under AfCFTA. Available from: https://www.tralac.org/blog/article/15850-digital-trade-developments-in-kenya-perspective-under-afcfta.html (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Longley. R. (2021). What Is Political Participation? Definition and Examples. Available from: https://www.thoughtco.com/political-participation-definition-examples-5198236 (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Madhu, P. (2011). What is good governance? SSRN, 1, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1766267
Main, O. (2022). Rejuvenating South Africa’s economy - An ICT sector perspective. Available from: https://www.inclusivesociety.org.za/post/rejuvenating-south-africa-s-economy-an-ict-sector-perspective (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Maremi, K., Thulare, T., and Herselman, M. (2022, May). The benefits of digital transformation addressing the hindrances and challenges of e-government services in South Africa: A scoping review. In 2022 IST-Africa Conference (IST-Africa) (pp. 1-8). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.23919/IST-Africa56635.2022.9845641
Mohajan, H. K. (2018). Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects. Journal of economic development, environment and people, 7(1), 23-48. https://doi.org/10.26458/jedep.v7i1.571
Mukherjee, M. and Roy, S. (2016). Application of ICT in Good Governance. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering, 6 (3), 276-279.
Naidoo, G. (2012). Implementation of E-government in South Africa-successes and challenges: the way forward. International Journal of Advances in Computing and Management, 1(1), 62-66.
National Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Policy, 2019.
Pandey, D. L., and Risal, N. (2020). E-governance: A study of the concept and implementation in the emerging economy. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, 4(2), 93-101.Fukuyama, F. (2013). What Is Governance?. Center for Global Development, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.22495/cgsrv4i2p9
Pareek, U. and Sole. N.A. (2020). Governance: Concept, Meaning and Dimensions. In Governance in India Fresh Perspectives. New Delhi: Segment Books, 8-27. https://doi.org/10.5958/2321-2136.2020.00014.4
Republic of Rwanda Ministry of ICT and Innovation. (2019). ICT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. RWANDA ICT SECTOR PROFILE, 1.21.
Rizvi, S. (2023). PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO ADDRESS ICT INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES IN SOUTH AFRICA. Available from: https://www.ppmattorneys.co.za/public-private-partnerships-in-ict/ (Accessed on 24 May 2024).
Rwanda Development Board. (2023). Information communication technology. Available from: https://rdb.rw/departments/information-communication-technology/ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
SA News. (2022). R2.4 billion allocated to modernise public service ICT. Available from: https://businesstech.co.za/news/budget-speech/561946/r2-4-billion-allocated-to-modernise-public-service-ict/ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Singh, R. (2021). INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350087090_INFORMATION_COMMUNICATION_TECHNOLOGY (Accessed on 14 November 2023).
Staff Writer. (2021). 9 big changes coming to Home Affairs in South Africa – including self-service and the ‘end of downtime’ Available from: https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/524270/9-big-changes-coming-to-home-affairs-in-south-africa-including-self-service-and-the-end-of-downtime/ (Accessed on 30 November 2023).
Tahiru, F., Tei Asare, B., Asante, G., and Agbesi, S. (2020). Internet Access and Cost and Its Impact on Citizens Engagement on E-Government Services. In TPRC48: The 48th Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3748400
Tchao, E. T., Keelson, E., Aggor, C., and Amankwa, G. A. M. (2017, December). E-government services in Ghana—Current state and future perspective. In 2017 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI) (pp. 624-631). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CSCI.2017.108
Ysa, T., Albareda, A. and Forberger, S. (2014). What is governance. In: P. Anderson, G. Bühringer and J. Colom, eds., Reframing addictions: policies, processes and pressures. ALICE-RAP, 8–16.
Zaied, A. N. H., Ali, A. H., and El-Ghareeb, H. A. (2017). E-government adoption in Egypt: Analysis, challenges and prospects. International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, 52(2), 70-79. https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V52P212
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ICTS and e-Governance in Africa. (2024). Digital Policy Studies, 3(1), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.36615/dttqjd81
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How to Cite
ICTS and e-Governance in Africa. (2024). Digital Policy Studies, 3(1), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.36615/dttqjd81