03 October 2024

In Africa, the e-Government Development Index (EGDI) increased by 4.8% between 2022 and 2024, from 0.4054 to 0.4247, according to the United Nations (UN).

The ‘E-Government Survey 2024’ indicates that Africa shows the second highest progression after Asia, with an increase of 7.7%.

This improvement demonstrates the continued efforts of many African countries to develop their digital public services. Among them, Mauritius and South Africa stand out by joining the group of countries with a very high EGDI (above 0.75), a first for the continent. However, despite this positive trend, e-government in Africa faces several obstacles that slow down its development. According to the UN, even if the continent’s average EGDI increases, it remains well below the world average, which stands at 0.6382 in 2024.

Several factors explain this delay, including significant disparities in digital infrastructure, connectivity, digital skills and e-government readiness persist within the region.