Electronic Government Initiatives in the Public Service of Namibia

Abstract

The paper highlights e-government initiatives in the public service of Namibia based on a study that was carried from February to August 2007 employing literature review, observation and interviews with 85 respondents that included desk officers, records keeping staff and information technology (IT) personnel in seven ministries, two regional councils and two local authorities. The study established that Namibia is still at the initial phase of her e-government implementation strategy, i.e., publication of information level of e-maturity. The problems associated with failure of e-government in African and other developing countries are discussed in the Namibia context. These problems include: inadequate data systems; underdeveloped legislative, institutional and human capacity including leadership; inadequate technological infrastructure; and poor records management. The paper provides a number of recommendations aimed at ensuring that the Namibian Public Service captures details of transactions, takes account of privacy, confidentiality and security issues, and provides timely, reliable and useful information.