Questioning the pace and pathway of e-government development in Africa: A case study of South Africa's Cape Gateway project |
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Authors: | Blessing Mukabeta Maumbe Vesper Owei Helen Alexander |
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Institution: | 1. Eastern Kentucky University, College of Business and Technology, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475-3102, USA;2. ICT for Socio-Economic Development, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa;3. Provincial Government of the Western Cape, 142 Long Street, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa |
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Abstract: | The paper examines e-government development in Africa. This study is based on the Cape Gateway project in South Africa, a leading e-government initiative on the continent. We observe that African countries have jumped on the e-government band wagon by looking mostly at the benefits without a clear risk assessment. We argue that African countries should question the pace and pathway for their e-government programs. We caution that e-government models from developed countries do not necessarily work in Africa. E-government programs in Africa should be balanced with the provision of basic needs and infrastructure. We conclude that e-government in South Africa should adopt multi-cultural approaches, and must be underpinned by national development priorities. We recommend that the Cape Gateway must address the socio-economic context and needs of the country. The pace and pathway of its e-government must depend on the availability of both financial and human resources and also user satisfaction. |
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