Pretoria, South Africa, 2 October 2024 – The Forum on Data Governance and Digital Government convened from 2 to 4 October 2024 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, drawing attention to the critical need for stronger collaboration to enhance digital governance across Africa. The event was held alongside the ICEGOV Forum and featured the African launch of the 2024 UN E-Government Survey.
The survey highlighted the crucial role of digital governance in advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It underscored how technology can transform public service delivery and governance, contributing to all 17 SDGs.
During the unveiling of the survey, Vincenzo Aquaro, Chief of the Digital Government Branch at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), emphasized the profound impact of digital transformation on governance. He noted that digital government is essential for making administrations more effective, inclusive, and accountable. By leveraging technology, he stated, service delivery can improve, accessibility can increase, and progress on the SDGs can accelerate.
Mr Aquaro further highlighted that top-performing countries excel through innovative digital governance frameworks and the application of advanced technologies. He stressed the importance of political will, legislative reforms, and regional collaboration to build integrated digital economies across Africa. Additionally, he urged African nations to invest in ICT infrastructure, foster public-private partnerships, and develop digital public infrastructure programs, which are critical enablers of successful digital transformation.
On the second day, the Africa Regional Forum on Data Governance and Digital Government, co-hosted by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and UNDESA, brought together policymakers, academics, and private sector leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities of advancing digital governance in Africa, in line with the Global Digital Compact (GDC).
Discussions explored the transformative potential of digital technologies to enhance public services, stimulate economic growth, and bridge the digital divide. Delegates from several African countries, including Nigeria, Namibia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania, shared valuable insights and best practices in promoting digital government.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO of APRM, emphasized the urgent need to close the digital divide, particularly for marginalized groups such as women in the informal sector and Africa’s growing youth population, who often face limited access to digital resources. She underscored the vital role of APRM initiatives like TechGov in advancing e-government across Africa, highlighting the importance of close collaboration with UNDESA and national governments. This partnership, she noted, is essential for building resilient digital governance frameworks that ensure public services are efficient, transparent, and focused on the needs of citizens.
