Electronic/Mobile Government in Africa: Progress made and challenges ahead http://www.unpan.org/emgkr_africa Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 17-19 February 2009 DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EAC REGIONAL E-GOVERNMENT E FRAMEWORK, BY Sarah Kagoda- Batuwa East African Community
E-Governance Introduction Back ground to the development of the EAC E-Government E Programme Frame work Vision and Focus Implementation of the Framework National policies/strategies Applications Enabling Environment Challenges Way Forward 2/23/2009 2
INTRODUCTION The East African Community (EAC), a regional intergovernmental organisation of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the united Republic of Tanzania. The EAC s vision of regional integration - create wealth, raise the living standards and enhance international competitiveness of the region. The key to achieving this vision- increased production, trade and investments in the region with information and communication Technologies playing a key role. 2/23/2009 3
INTRODUCTION As provided for in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (1999), the Stages in the development of the EAC regional integration are a Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation Customs union in January 2005 Common market -Negotiations on-going conclusion a Common Market protocol by 2010. The EAC Development Strategy 2001-2005 and 2006-2010 emphasizes the importance of ICT in meeting the challenges posed by globalization, facilitating the regional integration 2/23/2009 4
E-Government - Background E-Government as one of the priority areas for bridging digital divide Consultative Meeting - 2003. As part of the African Information Society Initiative (AISI). Successful Implementation of EA Customs Union & Common Market need the use of ICT 2/23/2009 5
E- Gov. Background... E-Govt Initiatives at National level EAC recognised the need to develop harmonised and co-ordinated ordinated regional e-e government framework E-Government included in ICT priority projects in the EAC Strategy 2006-10 2/23/2009 6
EAC E-Gov. DEVELOPMENT... 1 st Regional e-gov e Workshop for EA Nov. 04 The Workshop aimed at: examining, consolidating, sharing views and agreeing on strategic priorities for e- Government 2/23/2009 7
EAC E-Gov. DEVELOPMENT... The Workshop agreed to: Establish a Regional Interim Working Group (RIWG) Develop a Regional e-government e Strategy for East Africa Develop a Regional Indicative e-gov Work Plan Hold regular meetings to spearhead process 2/23/2009 8
EAC E-Gov. DEVELOPMENT... Agreed to engage a consultant to develop Regional frame work With Support of ECA- Consultant developed Draft Regional e-govt Framework -2005 2/23/2009 9
EAC E-Gov. DEVELOPMENT... 2 nd Regional e-gov Workshop, Nairobi Main Objectives: Spell out latitude for implementation of identified initiatives; and Discuss Draft Regional e-gov Framework. Propose follow up Workshops 2/23/2009 10
EAC E-Gov. VISION In November 2006, the 13th Council of Ministers approved and adopted the EAC e-government Framework EAC e-government Strategy vision is: Provision of quality and consistency of public service delivery, in order to satisfy citizens expectations of new standards of service provision that allow greater regional integration and economic development 2/23/2009 11
EAC REGIONAL E-GOV. PROGRAMME Government Private sector Civil Society Academia Regional e-gov Framework Enabling Environment e-gov Programme National e-gov Policies Flagship Applications Awareness/Media 2/23/2009 12
e-gov Framework- Focus Areas Scope: Covers all major aspects of regional cooperation on e- government including: i) Agreed Priority Areas & Flagship applications; ii) iii) Cross cutting issues; and Address policy, resources and other issues referred to in the respective national ICT Policies 2/23/2009 13
e-gov Framework- Focus Areas Priority Applications: 1. Customs and Immigration controls 2. e-parliament 3. e-health 4. e-banking 5. e-procurement 6. e-commerce and e-tourism 7. Meteorological and tidal information 2/23/2009 14
e-gov Framework- Focus Areas Cross Cutting Issues: a) Information Security and Management; b) Gender issues and MDG; c) Observatory mechanism (at EAC level) d) Legal and Regulatory Framework that would cover Cyber laws & e-justice 2/23/2009 15
Implementation National Policies Kenya developed her national e-gov strategy 2004, currently planning a review Uganda 2006 based on EAC framework Rwanda developed(reggi) based on NICI -2005 Plan Tanzania advanced stages Burundi e-govt Envisioning Workshop, May2008 to draw up an action plan for developing the national strategy 2/23/2009 16
IMPLEMENTATION E-GOVT. APPLICATIONS A number of Stake holder s workshops have taken place since 2004 Regional e- Health workshop April 2006 Regional e- Government for local Authorities October 2007 Regional e-immigration workshop December 2007 Zanzibar 2/23/2009 17
IMPLEMENTATION E-GOVT. APPLICATIONS All Workshops: Aimed at creating awareness on the benefits of adoption of e-government and harmonized strategies Identified key areas of cooperation Agreed on the development of Regional Strategy Frameworks Form Regional Technical Working Groups EAC Regional 2/23/2009 18
Enabling Env. Legal & regulatory Development of legal and regulatory framework Operational efficiency of the Regional e-government Framework requires back up support of necessary legislation on data security, network security, cyber crime, information systems and electronic transactions. Series of Workshops and training has taken place: Stakeholder s workshop, Nairobi (2005); Workshop on Cyber Laws and e-justice, Kampala April 2006 and Information Security, April 2006 2/23/2009 19
Enabling Env. Legal & regulatory Workshops examined key legal and regulatory issues and identify priorities for cooperation Agreed: Formation of a Regional Taskforce to spearhead the development and implementation of the Regional Legal framework for cyber Laws of Cyber laws Review of the existing laws and bills of Partner States be undertaken and subsequently a regional legal framework for harmonization of Cyber laws be developed. 2/23/2009 20
Enabling Env. Legal & regulatory Phase I Development - Regional Legal Framework for cyber laws covering Electronic Transaction, Electronic Signature and Authentications, Data protection and Privacy, Consumer protection and Computer crime Engagement of a Consultant January 2008 to Guide the process Several Taskforce meetings took place Arusha January 2008; Kampala, June 2008 and Bujumbura September 2008 2/23/2009 21
Enabling ENV. Legal & Regulatory Draft Framework submitted to EAC December 2008 Partner States - Cyber laws in place 2010 2/23/2009 22
CHALLENGES National Policy Frameworks development & implementation Infrastructural Development National/regional backbone, connectivity, power fluctuations, computers Capacity human skills & numbers (EAC, National level) data security centres and the conclusion of extradition treaties Harmonization of Laws, Legal and Regulatory Frameworks Development of Information systems Funding 2/23/2009 23
Way Forward Finalize of national e-government strategies and plans and harmonization regional level Implement priorities agreed upon in the applications; Health, Local Authorities, e-immigration Develop Regional Strategic Frameworks of Applications Stake holder's consultative workshops in e-procurement, Law enforcement and investigation, E-Tourism Source for funding 2/23/2009 24
Way Forward Fast- track approval of the Regional framework on Cyber laws Partner States to develop and enact cyber laws in line with the Final Proposed EAC Framework Initiate Phase II - Intellectual Property, Domain names, Taxation and Freedom of Information. Initiate Phase III - develop a legal Instrument to the level of a protocol on cyber laws 2/23/2009 25
Thank you 2/23/2009 26