CONCEPTUALIZING E-GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES: LESSONS LEARNED FROM AFRICA-US COLLABORATIONS IN DIGITAL GOVERNANCE

CONCEPTUALIZING E-GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES: LESSONS LEARNED FROM AFRICA-US COLLABORATIONS IN DIGITAL GOVERNANCE

25-04-24 | Temitayo Oluwaseun Jejeniwa¹, Noluthando Zamanjomane Mhlongo², & Titilola Olaide Jejeniwa³
This paper reviews the dynamics, challenges, and successes of Africa-US collaborations in e-Government, highlighting the impact of digital governance initiatives on improving public service delivery and governance. It synthesizes lessons learned and best practices from these international collaborations, identifying critical success factors such as leadership, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, while addressing common challenges like the digital divide and technological infrastructure. Emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital identity systems offer new opportunities for future collaborations. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening these partnerships, emphasizing the importance of technology transfer, policy harmonization, and alignment with sustainable development goals. E-Government, or electronic government, leverages information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance access and delivery of government services, improve management efficiency, and empower citizens through transparency and participation. It is crucial for fostering public sector innovation, streamlining governmental processes, and enhancing democracy. International collaborations are essential for the successful implementation and evolution of e-Government initiatives, particularly between Africa and the US, given their distinct yet complementary strengths and challenges. Africa has a rapidly growing digital infrastructure and increasing mobile penetration, offering a unique landscape for e-Government initiatives. The US, with its advanced technological ecosystem and experience in digital governance, provides valuable insights, technologies, and practices. These collaborations represent a mutual learning opportunity, enabling African countries to leverage American technological advancements and governance models to accelerate their e-Government strategies, while the US can gain insights into innovative approaches adapted to different socio-economic and cultural contexts. The paper explores theoretical frameworks such as the Diffusion of Innovations, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Institutional Theory, which underpin e-Government initiatives. Key concepts include the digital divide, governance models, and public service delivery. Contextual differences between Africa and the US significantly influence e-Government strategies, with Africa focusing on mobile technology and addressing the digital divide, while the US leverages advanced technologies and faces challenges related to data privacy and cybersecurity. Technology transfer and capacity building are crucial elements of Africa-US collaborations in e-Government. These efforts focus on the physical transfer of technology and building the human and institutional capacity necessary for effective implementation and sustainability. Successful e-Government initiatives require strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, adaptation to local contexts, and sustainable funding models. Emerging trends such as AI, blockchain, and IoT present opportunities for transforming public service delivery and governance. Future collaborations should focus on capacity building, technology transfer, policy harmonization, and the development of inclusive digital ecosystems. Recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers include embracing a holistic approach to digital transformation, prioritizing citizen-centric services, fostering innovation through partnerships, and continuously adapting to technological and societal changes. Africa-US collaborations in e-Government have the potential to significantly contribute to the advancement of digital governance, offering lessons and models that can benefit regions worldwide.This paper reviews the dynamics, challenges, and successes of Africa-US collaborations in e-Government, highlighting the impact of digital governance initiatives on improving public service delivery and governance. It synthesizes lessons learned and best practices from these international collaborations, identifying critical success factors such as leadership, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, while addressing common challenges like the digital divide and technological infrastructure. Emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital identity systems offer new opportunities for future collaborations. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening these partnerships, emphasizing the importance of technology transfer, policy harmonization, and alignment with sustainable development goals. E-Government, or electronic government, leverages information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance access and delivery of government services, improve management efficiency, and empower citizens through transparency and participation. It is crucial for fostering public sector innovation, streamlining governmental processes, and enhancing democracy. International collaborations are essential for the successful implementation and evolution of e-Government initiatives, particularly between Africa and the US, given their distinct yet complementary strengths and challenges. Africa has a rapidly growing digital infrastructure and increasing mobile penetration, offering a unique landscape for e-Government initiatives. The US, with its advanced technological ecosystem and experience in digital governance, provides valuable insights, technologies, and practices. These collaborations represent a mutual learning opportunity, enabling African countries to leverage American technological advancements and governance models to accelerate their e-Government strategies, while the US can gain insights into innovative approaches adapted to different socio-economic and cultural contexts. The paper explores theoretical frameworks such as the Diffusion of Innovations, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Institutional Theory, which underpin e-Government initiatives. Key concepts include the digital divide, governance models, and public service delivery. Contextual differences between Africa and the US significantly influence e-Government strategies, with Africa focusing on mobile technology and addressing the digital divide, while the US leverages advanced technologies and faces challenges related to data privacy and cybersecurity. Technology transfer and capacity building are crucial elements of Africa-US collaborations in e-Government. These efforts focus on the physical transfer of technology and building the human and institutional capacity necessary for effective implementation and sustainability. Successful e-Government initiatives require strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, adaptation to local contexts, and sustainable funding models. Emerging trends such as AI, blockchain, and IoT present opportunities for transforming public service delivery and governance. Future collaborations should focus on capacity building, technology transfer, policy harmonization, and the development of inclusive digital ecosystems. Recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers include embracing a holistic approach to digital transformation, prioritizing citizen-centric services, fostering innovation through partnerships, and continuously adapting to technological and societal changes. Africa-US collaborations in e-Government have the potential to significantly contribute to the advancement of digital governance, offering lessons and models that can benefit regions worldwide.
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[slides and audio] CONCEPTUALIZING E-GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES%3A LESSONS LEARNED FROM AFRICA-US COLLABORATIONS IN DIGITAL GOVERNANCE