Zambia’s National Electronic Government Plan (2023-2026)

The National Electronic Government Plan (NeGP) for Zambia from 2023 to 2026 is an extensive strategy aimed at digitizing the public sector to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. This plan is crucial for transforming Zambia into a digital economy, leveraging digital technologies not just for service delivery improvements but also for economic growth.

The plan emphasises Zambia’s commitment to digital transformation as a means to revolutionise both public and private sector service provision, recognising the potential savings and efficiency gains from such initiatives. The plan has received significant backing from various government bodies and ministries, demonstrating a collaborative effort across multiple sectors.

Key components of the plan include developing robust digital infrastructure to facilitate improved service delivery across government-to-government, government-to-business, and government-to-citizen interactions. There’s a strong focus on investing in digital identification systems, electronic signatures, and government-wide cloud data centers. The plan also stresses the importance of enhancing digital skills and managing organisational change to support the public sector’s transformation.

In terms of innovation and entrepreneurship, the plan encourages the adoption of locally developed digital solutions, promoting digital entrepreneurship, and fostering innovation to solve local challenges. This is seen as essential for creating job opportunities and enhancing service delivery.

The plan outlines a comprehensive governance structure for its implementation, which includes a National Steering Committee and supporting technical committees and working groups. These groups are tasked with overseeing the plan’s rollout and ensuring alignment with national development goals.

Legal frameworks such as the Electronic Government Act are put in place to support the coordination and implementation of the plan, emphasising the need for proper legal backing to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of digital initiatives.

Financing and resource mobilisation are identified as critical for the plan’s success, with a mix of domestic funding, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation highlighted as key funding sources.

Monitoring and evaluation frameworks are developed to track the effectiveness of the initiatives and measure their impact on national development goals. This framework will help adjust strategies as needed and ensure the plan meets its intended outcomes.

The NeGP addresses the digital divide by prioritising inclusive access to digital services, ensuring that marginalised and rural communities are not left behind. It also focuses on creating a secure digital environment to protect users and build trust in government digital services, which is essential for the widespread adoption of these technologies.