"Statistics is the first of the inexact sciences," said Jules de Goncourt. However, when it comes to digital transformation in Africa, statistical forecasts have often underestimated the scale of the increase in the number of users and the multiplication of uses linked to Digital.
The Growth of Internet Penetration in Africa
According to the Internet Society and the World Bank, internet penetration growth in sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest in the world. The penetration rate has risen from less than 1% in 2000 to 43% today. This meteoric rise of Africa's internet-based economy could contribute up to $712 billion to the African economy by 2050, according to consulting firm Accenture.
The Impact on Governance
Faced with this massive enthusiasm and confronted with the reality principle, governments — which had until then adopted a wait-and-see or even resistant stance — were compelled to demonstrate pragmatism and follow the path of digital transformation. By embracing digital technology to radically transform the way government services are delivered, they understood that they could have a direct impact on administrative efficiency and transparency. The various technological advances not only enabled better accessibility and quality of public services, but also paved the way for e-governance initiatives strengthening civic participation and the fight against corruption. Within a few years, digital technology became a key tool for improving the transparency and efficiency of public services. Its impact on governance is now undeniable. A World Bank study demonstrated that the adoption of digital technologies in public services reduces transaction costs, improves administrative efficiency and increases transparency — all essential elements in the fight against corruption. For instance, the introduction of electronic management systems in tax and customs administrations has made it possible to increase revenue collection and reduce opportunities for corruption in most of the countries observed.
The E-Government Development Index (EGDI)
According to the UN's 2020 E-Government Survey report, the e-government development index in Africa shows continuous improvement, reflecting the current momentum across the continent. In Bénin, collaboration with the Estonian government led to the creation of a robust government portal, giving citizens access to more than 200 online public services. This project not only improved the efficiency and transparency of public services, but also established a standard for data reuse and sharing across government institutions. Since then, public revenues have almost doubled and Bénin ranks among the ten most fiscally transparent countries in the world. Several other African countries have launched similar initiatives to integrate digital technology into their governance. Ghana, with its Ghana.Gov platform, is modernising public revenue collection and population access, thereby improving digital financial inclusion. In Kenya, Huduma Centres facilitate access to more than 5,000 government services through a single portal, improving efficiency and citizen engagement. In Rwanda, the Irembo Gov platform centralises more than 100 public services, ranging from driving licence applications to birth and death registration, thereby contributing to the reduction of corruption.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite impressive growth and promising prospects, challenges remain numerous:
- Inclusion and Access: More than 840 million people in Africa are deprived of reliable and affordable access to the Internet. Regional disparities are significant, with a penetration rate of 23% in Central Africa, while West Africa exceeds 48%, according to Data Portal. To democratise access, it is crucial to invest in infrastructure, connectivity, and digital education. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and international organisations is essential to reduce these disparities.
- Organisational change: Digital transformation is not limited to technology alone. It also requires organisational change. Many governments attempt to drive their digital transformation without adjusting their organisational principles. How can agile projects be implemented, change managed, and new citizen-centred uses defined while respecting traditional administrative frameworks? Digital governance reform is necessary for the effective use of digital tools.
- Culture and Leadership: Digital technology is often perceived as a means of achieving specific objectives rather than as a catalyst for change. Leaders must lead by example by integrating digital technology into their strategic vision. Education and awareness are essential to changing mindsets.
- Security and trust: Cybersecurity and data protection are crucial. Users must have confidence in digital services in order to fully adopt them. Governments must put in place robust policies and regulations to ensure transaction security and data privacy.
- Innovation and Value Creation: Digital, by its intangible nature, struggles to find its rightful place in decision-making bodies. It is often granted limited, opportunistic interest to achieve specific objectives, while its immense disruptive power and value creation capacity are overlooked. African startups have already demonstrated their potential, but it is essential to create an ecosystem conducive to innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting incubators, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors are key ways to accelerate value creation.
Which African digital company could rival Brick & Mortar giants such as Dangote? What model of democracy for a society that would adopt electronic voting? What future for a society that would mandate the use of artificial intelligence in all its schools and administrations? These ideas have not yet found their way, but just like the statistics that no one believed in, they will eventually establish themselves.
At ST Digital, we are firmly convinced that digital transformation can catalyse substantial change in governance across Africa. Our mission is to support public administrations and enterprises in their digital transition, offering solutions tailored to African realities. The future of governance in Africa will depend on our ability to integrate digital technology into democratic and administrative processes. Digital transformation is not solely a matter of technology; it is a cultural and structural reform that requires commitment at every level of society. This demands not only investments in infrastructure and digital education, but also a strong commitment from governments toward sincere and inclusive transformation. This is a key topic for the continent. Moreover, at the Africa CEO Forum 2024 — the unmissable gathering of Africa's private sector, held in Kigali and in which we are participating — this subject will be extensively addressed during panels and roundtable discussions.
As a stakeholder in this change, ST Digital is committed to being at the forefront of innovation, supporting initiatives that strengthen transparency, efficiency and citizen participation. We envision an Africa where every citizen can easily access public services online, actively participate in democratic life and benefit from the fruits of economic development. Digital transformation in Africa is a reality in motion. It is up to us to seize this opportunity to build more open, inclusive and prosperous societies.
More information on:https://www.agenceecofin.com/gestion-publique/1405-118634-anthony-same-un-nouveau-chapitre-de-la-transformation-digitale-en-afrique-s-est-ouvert
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