POLICY BRIEF - December 2023 - Unlocking stronger institutions, policies and citizen

Based on our analysis of selected sub indicators from the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index i An enabling ecosystem that allows for responsible (GTMI or the Index) , we observe that while access, sharing and use of data to inspire African countries are investing more in the digital innovation and opportunities for public sector, transformation of their public sector, governments economic and soc. [...] Such an enabling environment operations and service delivery, but have recorded consists of numerous components, including mixed results in terms of the overall achievement institutions with adequate capacity to forge and of enabling institutions, policies and citizens’ implement reforms, policies and strategies that involvement to harness the potential of public reflect the evolving data landscap. [...] The implication of this is that several African countries continue to miss out on the benefits of Key findings and implications leveraging data for public good, as measurable The index shows that while African countries are and consistent public value outcomes remains investing more in the digital transformation of their elusive. [...] infrastructure to optimize public sector operations and service delivery, but are met with subpar Background results in terms of the overall achievement of Government ministries, departments and agencies enabling institutions, policies and citizen typically collect vast amounts of data to support involvement to harness the potential of public citizens and deliver services. [...] 3 out of every 4 Meaningful citizen participation in the countries in the region do not have any form of formulation of government policies related to national online platform that allows citizens to digital technology and data governance via participate in digital and data policy decision- platforms is insufficient, indicating lack of making.