The Gambia’s e-Government Strategy 2021-2024
October 2020
Strategies and Action Plans
Author: The Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, which has since been renamed the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The Gambia’s e-Government Strategy 2021-2024 is designed to modernise public service delivery, improve governance, and drive socioeconomic development through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Vision and mission
The vision is to establish an integrated government that delivers secure, accessible, and quality public services, promoting a knowledge-based economy. The mission focuses on creating an online public service framework to ensure innovation, efficiency, and cost-effective governance.
Guiding principles
- Transparency: Ensuring free access to information for citizens.
- Interoperability: Seamless connectivity between government ICT systems.
- Inclusiveness: Accessibility of services for all citizens, including those with disabilities.
- Security: Protecting government data against unauthorised access and threats.
- Efficiency and cost-effectiveness: Streamlining processes to reduce governance costs.
Strategic goals
- Efficiency and sustainability: Enhancing the operational efficiency of government processes and ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Common standards and infrastructure: Developing shared ICT infrastructure and standardising e-government services.
- Public service transformation: Digitizing government services to improve reliability and accessibility.
- Participation and transparency: Increasing citizen engagement and ensuring open access to government data.
Implementation scope
The strategy aims to enhance interaction between the government, its agencies, employees, citizens, and businesses. Government-to-citizen services will focus on centralising access to services such as tax payments and licensing. Government-to-government collaboration will improve efficiency among ministries and agencies. For businesses, the plan seeks to simplify processes, enabling efficient online registrations and compliance measures. For government employees, the goal is to facilitate better communication and resource sharing to enhance service delivery.
Prerequisites for implementation
A robust ICT infrastructure is critical to success, along with a unified platform to support interoperability across government entities. Legislation is required to govern electronic transactions and ensure data security. Capacity development is another essential element, aimed at equipping government employees and citizens with the skills to effectively use ICT-enabled services.
Funding model
The strategy will leverage a combination of government funding, private-sector involvement, and donor support. Public-private partnerships (PPP) are emphasised to ensure sustainable and innovative models of funding and operation.
Expected impacts
The strategy will improve governance, enhance transparency, and increase public participation. Citizens are expected to experience greater satisfaction with more efficient services. Economic growth will be fostered through ICT-enabled solutions in areas like agriculture, health, and education. Costs of governance are expected to decrease through streamlined and digitized processes.
Monitoring and evaluation
An evaluation framework will guide the implementation process. The ICT Agency will oversee the strategy, with mid-term and final reviews to assess progress. Continuous feedback mechanisms will ensure that the strategy adapts to changing needs and conditions.
This strategy seeks to transform public service delivery in The Gambia, making it more efficient, accessible, and citizen-focused, while fostering innovation and economic growth through technology.