E- governance in Africa. A new illusion or a real opportunity? Annie Chéneau- Loquay CNRS -France

E- governance in Africa. A new illusion or a real opportunity? Annie Chéneau- Loquay CNRS -France

Introduction I am a researcher in social geography from the French National Center of Research Studies (CNRS). The context of the research This question takes place in a larger program proposed in our research network AFRICA NTI (see www.africanti.org) to create a new Group of International Research (GDRI) An observatory of Policies and modes of appropriation of ICTs in Southern countries» Six programmes are identified as first priorities. One about the governance of ICTs: - Analyse the reality and dynamics of electronic governance (e-government and e-democracy) - Analyse the legal issues of national, regional and international governance 2

Introduction (2) The problematic of the research e-government = the use of ICTs in the activities of administrative structures, both national and local, especially in the performance of information and service delivery and implementation of public policies. However, it cannot be reduced to a mere computerisation of government. The introduction of ICTs within the public service brings a broader change to governmental structures and interventions.. Electronic government, electronic governance and electronic democracy are high on the agenda, in Africa as well as on other continents, given their theoretical benefits 3

e - governance, the new avatar for development? (ICTs) the cornerstone of debates on development promise of an immaterial wealth - of information, leisure and knowledge - => results in new concepts such as the "digital divide", "e-readiness", "e-development, e-governance". a support for recycling evolutionist and technicist perspectives an opportunity for international organisations to legitimate action. The World bank is very active in supporting e-governance (providing funds and experts, outlining programs) it often becomes a tool in the promotion of the interests of private companies business thought (see Marie Thorndahl, «Promises of a virtual prosperity ) do as if icts could be the sesame for improving wealth beeing 4

How could such systems conceived in Northern countries where the computerization of societies is comprehensive (from territories to people) Be implemented In countries characterized by - a lack of registration for goods and people, - loose territories, - discontinuous telecommunication networks and of poor quality - and where a majority of people is illiterate? Isn t it putting the cart before the horse. Why worry about e- government when most people don t even have internet access? No, I don t think so but for me, the main question is the one of the compatibility between ICTS uses and non formal economy in Africa 5

1 Discussion subjects 1 - About three different case studies in South Africa where the government is determined to demonstrate the original contribution of Africa to the thinking and implementation of e-government frameworks worldwide; - -In Cameroon new projects are conducted but the author insists on five kinds of obstacles which deepen the digital divide. -In Cabo Verde, the process of e-administration is well engaged and the State is working with other stakeholders private and non governemental. And some points about Senegal 2- The question needs to be looked at in the global context of a paradoxical modernisation which challenges the role of the State. 6

1-1 A critical look at e-government in South Africa based on Nicolas Pejout The massive use of ICTS driven by the People First framework that strives to promote a new model of information and service delivery based on - a customer-centred approach, higher efficiency and effectiveness, openness and transparency, and value for money. In this context, the construction of a comprehensive e-government infrastructure aims at achieving two objectives: - rationalising the State inner structure and its modes of intervention, - strengthening the grip of the State on the society. The Government Gateway Project gathers all initiatives around five building blocks: information provision, interaction and participation, multipurpose portals, transactions and, in fine, government s overall transformation. the South African government is broadening the definition of e- government by including, beyond web-based technologies, some other tools (cell phones, call centres, third parties networks ). 7

Two prices to pay? The ambivalence of ICTs as political technologies ICTs in government can also be used for more questionable purposes. The South African government is promoting a business political philosophy that turns citizens into customers and the State into a delivery firm. ICTs give the State the capacity to act as a Big Brother State invested with a panoptic control over the society. In the South African context, this scenario not only refers to the Apartheid political regime that used control electronics but is actually being updated today, mainly through the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS). they can also promote emancipation, notably by the use of Open Source Software (OSS) within government. South Africa rightly sees OSS as a highly valuable opportunity to create an indigenous e-government model based on locally produced technologies that fit specific needs and priorities. OSS would also facilitate the move towards independency from foreign firms and technologies 8

In SA e-e governance is a reality Despite the ambitious sophistication and implementation of some major e-government initiatives, some structural realities limit their full deployment throughout South Africa. physical access is still a problem: telecommunication infrastructures are still lacking in some parts of the country, affecting numerous people, while regulatory uncertainty makes innovations more difficult. social access is also a challenge: the lack of awareness and of incentives and the low financial resource can limit the use of e-government facilities 9

1-2 In Cabo Verde, the process of e-administration is well engaged (based on Michel Lesourd) The government is working with other stakeholders private and non governemental. A challenge: - reduce discontinuities of the territory - improve the decentralization - find new economics opportunities A national plan to build a government gateway, network administration and create new services Intranet and broad band At local level Individual strategies (the municipes are looking for help from cooperation) Every municipe has an e-mail address, a phone and fax line 10

CV is rather well- equipped But many problems can be stressed Physical access Socio-digital divide Socio-territorial divide Social access No general planning for icts None observatory lack of competency A few experiences High costs and low financial resources 11

1 3 In Cameroon new projects are experimented (based on Lucien Ewangue) As many African countries Cameroon is under the pressure to implement e-governance All the ministerial departments have a program to digitalize budget and accountings and build web sites Some pilot projects for intranet and network working But there is a lot of blocking effects in such an administration and country which are not compatible with technological skills 12

Inside the administration The decrease of professional knowledge A lack of knowledge in technology and communication A extend of fraud and corruption Financial constraints that s leads to make other choices At a global level Five divides the economic divide 1300euros = the price of a computer and its environmental supplies = the salary for 12 months of an employee the infrastructural divide the physic and energetic divide the socio-cultural divide the law divide I agree with this analysis but I would like to go further to understand the frequent failure of e- governance in Africa 13

2 - a paradoxical modernisation which challenges the role of the State. Africa is embeded in a vicious circle of poverty, (which origins are complex) The vicious circle of poverty can be portrayed as an amalgam of the weakness of the State and the development of the informal economy. The authorities, unable to raise enough taxes from poor people, tend to become corrupt and consequently unable to create and maintain the necessary infrastructures and equipment. This lack of good administration leads to a host of non-registered activities which escape taxation and increasingly weaken the government. The result is a socio-territorial divide between interconnected areas, central urban zones, and peripheral and remote areas which remain poorly connected or, even, totally unconnected (without roads, electricity or telephone networks). In this context, in order to check the gradual deterioration of public services and create and maintain infrastructure and amenities (roads, telecommunications, various networks) which will provide the link into the "world system"[3], funding has to be brought in from outside, through projects. And the multiplication of projects have shown not to be able to implement development. But it becomes a system in which many people win a every level. 14

In conclusion, looking at this topic in Africa reveals a mixture of new formal and informal practices that is the fundamental African way of processing since development coming from northern models exists in these societies under projects projected societies 15