Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi will lead the South African government delegation at the highly anticipated four-day International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV). This marks the first time the conference will be held on African soil.

The 17th edition of ICEGOV will take place from Tuesday, October 1, to Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria. The conference is being organized in collaboration with the Wits School of Governance, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) and the United Nations University.

Conceived 17 years ago, ICEGOV is an annual gathering that brings together academia, governments, international organizations, civil society, and industry to share the latest insights and experiences in Electronic Governance, commonly known as Digital Governance.

This year’s theme, “Trust and Ethical Digital Governance for the World We Want,” is particularly relevant as the Global Digital Compact is endorsed at the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024, and South Africa is set to assume the presidency of the G20 in December 2024.

Minister Buthelezi emphasized the government’s strong support for the conference, highlighting its goal of bringing together thought leaders and practitioners to foster meaningful progress in this vital area.

“The DPSA’s Digital Government policy framework adopts a comprehensive approach to leveraging digital technologies for public service delivery, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering a citizen-centric governance model. We stand to benefit significantly from the insights shared during this conference,” he stated.

Local organizing chair and head of the Wits School of Governance, Professor Themba Maseko, noted the significance of this conference as South Africa and the Global South seek to strengthen their digital governance capabilities.

“The ethical principles guiding digital technology and governance—such as transparency, accountability, and respect for privacy—create a digital landscape that enables us to live better lives in all contexts. We will explore various aspects of digital governance, offering fascinating insights and experiences from an African perspective,” said Prof. Maseko.

Associate Professor Geci Karuri-Sebina, also the Programme Committee Chair, emphasized the uniqueness of this ICEGOV edition, taking place on the African continent and amplifying the voices of academics, government officials, and key stakeholders from the Global South.

“This conference will feature interactive workshops to tackle real-world challenges and develop practical solutions for trustworthy and inclusive digital transformation. Attendees will have extensive networking opportunities to connect with researchers and colleagues from across Africa and the globe,” she said.

Discussions will frame both global and region-specific dialogues, with a particular focus on Africa, BRICS nations, and the Global South.

Key subjects to be discussed include:

– Digital transformation and innovation in the public sector

– Governing digital economies between the private and public sectors

– Drivers and determinants of success in adopting and implementing AI in public organizations

– Building inclusive Artificial Intelligence

– Smart sustainable cities and communities

– Developing a future-ready digital workforce and infrastructure

– Measuring digital government for equitable and inclusive outcomes

– The role of social media and new digital platforms