Bolivia’s strategic plan for electronic government 2018–2025

The Plan Estratégico de Gobierno Electrónico 2018–2025 developed by Bolivia’s Servicio Estatal de Autonomías (SEA) outlines a comprehensive roadmap for implementing electronic government in alignment with Bolivia’s autonomy process and the ‘Vivir Bien’ development model.

Purpose and vision

The plan is designed to:

• Modernise public administration through the strategic use of information and communication technologies (ICTs),
• Improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen participation,
• Strengthen coordination between the central government and Entidades Territoriales Autónomas (ETA),
• Serve the broader goals of social inclusion, autonomy, and state decentralisation.

It emphasises that government electronic transformation is not merely technological, but a socio-political process reflecting Bolivia’s constitutional principles and the inclusive model of governance.

Context and diagnosis

• National context: Bolivia has seen economic growth, decentralisation reforms, and broader political participation since 2006. However, institutional, technical, and infrastructural challenges persist across public entities.
• Digital infrastructure: Many institutions have obsolete or minimal ICT infrastructure. Only 36% were capable of advancing service automation (as of 2014).
• Interoperability challenges: 70% of surveyed officials stated that data sharing between institutions is technically incompatible.
• Citizen perceptions: There is strong public support (90%) for using electronic means for administrative procedures due to cost savings and reduced bureaucracy.

Strategic model: Three pillars of action

The plan is based on the Strategic Triangle of Mark Moore, adapted to Bolivian governance, and structured around three pillars:

1. Gobierno soberano (Sovereign government)
   • Development of sovereign digital infrastructure
   • Promotion of innovation, R&D, and national technological sovereignty
   • Implementation of free software and open standards
   • Security and data sovereignty
2. Gobierno eficiente (Efficient government)
   • Business process reengineering and simplification of procedures
   • Quality service delivery to citizens
   • Standardisation and automation of internal processes
3. Gobierno abierto y participativo (Open and participatory government)
   • Transparency and open data
   • Digital tools for citizen participation and social control
   • Public access to institutional information

Programs and implementation

• Programs and projects are aligned with the three pillars and grouped into strategic axes and lines of action.
• A critical path (ruta crítica) outlines stages and timelines for implementation.
• Institutional diagnostic tools and capacity-building are embedded in the plan.

Institutional and legal framework

The plan is grounded in:

• The 2009 Constitution defines telecommunications (including the internet) as a basic right.
• Law 164, promoting the use of ICTs in public management.
• Law 341, reinforcing citizen participation and oversight.
• The creation of AGETIC (Agency for Electronic Government and ICT) in 2015, responsible for setting and overseeing implementation guidelines.
• Several decrees support interoperability, digital transparency, and e-government services.

Monitoring and evaluation

• The plan includes a system for monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes.
• It defines roles and coordination mechanisms among institutions, including SEA, AGETIC, and other public bodies.