Eastern Africa Digital Government Capacity

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The proposed project is an investment project, with an indicative amount of financing at US$300 million. The amount will beallocated between two funding windows comprised of: (i) a regional IDA grant to AUC regional bodies (around US$30 million); and(ii) regional IDA and IDA credits to selected national governments (around US$270 million total). The funding under the secondwindow to national governments will be channeled through a combination of Performance Based Financing as well as an input-basedcomponent (technical assistance and investment lending). Project management unit will be created at the regional body level for theimplementation of the regional grant. In addition, distinct project units will be created in each selected country for theimplementation of each national portion of the project. The project will support developing the capability of regional bodies andnational governments to efficiently conduct digital transformation and fully deliver maximum benefits of such transformation topeople, in the form of service delivery. Technology adoption can be transformational in improving governance and governmentperformance. It has the potential to boost government efficiency, transparency, responsiveness, citizen trust, and servicedelivery. However, the achievement of such objectives requires not only the use of digital tools, technology, and digitalizedprocesses, but also must be accompanied with the relevant “analog” reforms of regulations, institutions, processes for delivery,and human capacity and skills. Maximized benefits to service delivery are also achieved through a whole-of-government approach todigitalization. This requires reducing silos of information and services, improving flow of information, fostering collaborationacross institutions to create economies of scale, and reduce burden for citizens to access government services.The objectives ofeach component and their respective activities are described below.Component 1: Strengthening the capacity of the AUC-levelmechanisms to implement the AU Digital Transformation Strategy (USD 30 million) This component seeks to support the AUC-levelmechanisms in fostering the conditions for public sector digital transformation and adoption of public digital platforms across thecontinent. The objectives are: (i) to foster economies of scale and efficiency gain in public digital transformation across thecontinent, (ii) to implement the basis for interoperable cross-border digital platforms, (iii) to improve the institutionalcapacity of the AUC to implement its digital transformation strategy, and (iv) to provide a framework to support the capacity ofAUC member countries and foster peer-to-peer learning for digital transformation. The component will support the AUC and relatedregional bodies. Subcomponent 1.1: Regional framework for public digital platformsThis subcomponent will support theestablishment of the harmonized policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks and guidelines for public sector digital governance at theregional level. Through this subcomponent, the proposed project will support the definition of public goods and shared guidelinesand frameworks to be considered and implemented by AUC member countries in their efforts toward digital transformation. This aimsat developing shared regional frameworks that would foster the adoption of public digital platforms at country level, as well ascreate economies of scale and conditions for improved cross-border public sector platforms interoperability. Proposed activitiescould include: (i) Strengthening of regional cybersecurity and data protection framework. Review of cybersecurity and dataprotection convention and establishment of related guidelines and institutional arrangement for enforcement at the regional level.(ii) Fostering the adoption of open standards for government digital platforms. Definition of guidelines to make better use ofopen standards for digital systems in order to avoid dependencies on certain suppliers (“provider lock-in”). (iii) Fosteringtransparency and open government. Definition of guidelines and standards on application of open government and open dataapproaches.(iv) Strengthening the capacity of governments to ensure security of digital systems. Technical guidelines forassessing threats and vulnerabilities to e-Government security systems and define mitigation. (v) Fostering data governance,improved cross-border collaboration and interoperability. Data management framework, including policies and specifications forgoverning information flow across governments and borders, as well as setting core standards for data and information integrationand management and the implementation of e-Government Metadata Standard across the public sector. Additional support will also beprovided toward the development of policy toward regional interoperability of different government services, such as development ofcommon standards and open standards software tools, development of standard solution for specific eservices, and corresponding ITarchitecture frameworks. (vi) Fostering the implementation of citizen-centric government digital services. Guidelines for theimplementation and design of user-centric digital service that are universally accessible.(vii) Promoting environmentallyresponsible practices in public sector digital transformation. Developing regional environmental guidelines for assessingand mitigating environmental impact of digital transformation. (viii) Providing a framework for the adoption and use of emergingand disruptive technologies. Policy and framework that address emerging technologies such as blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT),and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Subcomponent 1.2: Shared framework supporting public sector digital capacity andinnovation:This subcomponent will support the development of shared resources at regional level to support the capacity ofgovernments to implement public sector digital transformation. Through this subcomponent, the project will support the developmentof mechanisms under the auspices of AUC, to provide capacity support and knowledge sharing platforms on digital transformation tocountry members. Proposed activities would include: (i) Set up regional public sector digital transformation center ofexcellence and an African Union e-Governance Academy: The project will provide technical assistance and institutional support forthe development of an AUC Public sector digital transformation Center of Excellence which will support (a) the development ofpublic goods, regulations and standards, (b) the setup of incentive mechanisms and regional qualification framework based on acertification process for African institutions and schools of public administrations to develop and deliver digital programs inline with public sector digital transformation needs, and (c) deliver certified training supporting public sector digitaltransformation for governments. In that sense, under the African Capacity Building Foundation, an AUC level mechanism, the projectwill develop trainers’ capacity on digital government and governance to support Schools of Public Administration (SIPAs) across thecontinent in developing and implementing curriculum on public digital transformation. Additional support will also be allocatedtoward the development of certified curricula and e-learning platforms and programs as well as the development and delivery ofspecific trainings supporting both different level of technological skills and specific soft skills necessary for supporting public sector digital transformation.(ii) Foster knowledge sharing and innovation among public sector professionals: The project willprovide support for (a) the development of electronic collaborative learning, knowledge exchange platforms and community ofpractices, (b) the development and implementation of mechanisms for peer- learning and exchanges between countries and governmentunder the auspices of the AUC and bodies (intern