The Digital Government Master Plan of Kiribati

March 2021

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Strategies and Action Plans

Author: e‑Governance Academy Foundation (eGA) in collaboration with Kiribati’s Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development

The Digital Government Master Plan of Kiribati outlines the government’s strategic vision to transform its public sector through digital technologies. It serves as a blueprint for establishing efficient, transparent, and citizen-centred digital government services over a phased implementation period.

Purpose and vision

The Master Plan aims to:

  • Improve government efficiency and service delivery.
  • Reduce paperwork and manual processes.
  • Enhance transparency and combat corruption.
  • Support the national development agenda, including the KV20 Vision.

It draws on Kiribati’s existing National ICT Policy (2011, updated in 2019) and aligns with global best practices.

Key pillars of the master plan

  1. Governance and coordination
    • Establishment of a Digital Transformation Office (DTO) to lead and coordinate digital government projects.
    • Creation of a National Digital Transformation Advisory Board for strategic guidance.
    • Development of clear policies, legal frameworks, and sustainable financing mechanisms.
    • Emphasis on capacity development and change management.
  2. Technical infrastructure
    • Deployment of a Government Wide Area Network (GWAN) connecting government agencies.
    • Construction of a national data center to host government systems and data securely.
    • Development of a unified government communications system (email, VOIP).
  3. Digital government applications
    • Development of base registers for population, business, and land data.
    • Launch of a citizen portal as a one-stop shop for e-services.
    • Implementation of a secure data exchange platform (modelled after Estonia’s X-Road).
    • Rollout of digital identity and trust services (e-ID).
    • Creation of cybersecurity policies and data protection measures.

Phased implementation approach

The plan prioritises:

  1. Foundational governance and coordination structures.
  2. Basic technical infrastructure.
  3. Gradual digitalisation of government processes and registers.
  4. Development of citizen-facing e-services.
  5. Advanced services like e-Cabinet and proactive service delivery.

It includes a 4-year costed action plan (over AUD 18 million) involving immediate, medium-term, and long-term actions.

Critical success factors

  • Strong political leadership and support.
  • Availability of skilled staff and local expertise.
  • Public-private partnerships and community engagement.
  • Sustainable financing, including external donor support.
  • Clear legal mandates for digital government.

Strategic highlights

  • The plan recommends a ‘once-only’ data collection principle and interoperability across government agencies.
  • Emphasises security, privacy, and data protection as core principles.
  • Promotes citizen-centric services and ICT literacy.
  • Draws heavily from successful models in Estonia and the European Union.