IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Management consulting firm Booz & Company have released a new report into whether increasing use of mobile technologies will enable MENA Governments to build a stronger relationship with their populace. New technologies such as smart­phones, tablets and social media channels are fundamentally chang­ing the way that people in the MENA region interact and process information.

Prices for mobile technol­ogy continue to drop, making these platforms more accessible to lower-income segments of the population. Faced with this new reality, governments must urgently change the way they connect with their citizens and customers. After all, failing to take advantage of new technologies can leave their populations disaffected and disen­gaged, with a belief that their govern­ment does not speak with them in meaningful ways or understand their needs. Conversely the effective use of mobile apps can increase engagement and communication between citizens and governments, empowering citi­zens and creating stronger and more satisfied societies.

Read more: Mobile E-Government - The key to stronger ties between MENA Governments and their Constituents?

The term e-government is still a very vague term indeed to many Arabs today. They hear about it, may be some have even experienced it, but overall it remains a mystery to most Arabs.

Probably the best way to simplify the definition of e-government is this: “Any use of information and technology that empowers citizens, improves the way government works, improves the connection and communication between governments and civil society can be considered as part of e-government.” This is according to Sharon Dawes, a senior fellow at the US-based Center for Technology in Government.

Read more: MENA: E-government with love!

In the past decade, some MENA governments have developed pioneering e-government programs driven by ambitious national economic agendas of modernization and diversification, and to serve the ever growing number of digitally savvy young people, commonly known as the Arab Digital Generation. In effect, e-government assets have clear potential to create both economic and social value for all demographic segments. Today, however, the region’s leading e-government programs face growing social and financial challenges, forcing them to find new funding mechanisms. Amidst recent economic and social uncertainties, governments have shifted their spending priorities to other areas such as housing, social welfare, and employment. In this new environment, e-government initiatives can no longer solely rely on central government budgets. According to management consulting firm Booz & Company, they must learn to become self-sufficient and self-sustainable.

Read more: Self-Sustainable E-Government - The Key To Creating Economic And Social Value In The MENA Region

The IT market in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region is forecast to deliver total spending of around 80 billion by 2015.

As IT literacy across the region grows, governments and businesses are looking to technology as a tool to ensuring the provision of quality services in a way that is timely, convenient and efficient.

E-services, broadly defined as the provision of goods and services using information and communications technologies, are increasing in prevalence across both the private and public sector, and in the GCC, governments are taking the lion's share as a driving force behind such initiatives.

Read more: MENA: E-revolution: The rise of government e-services