Cuba has a unique political and economic history characterised by socialist governance. And if we have to look at it through another lense, the digital government of Cuba has faced challenges in terms of internet access and digital infrastructure, with limited connectivity and strict government control over online content.
The country has gradually increased internet access in recent years, but digital governance still remains a (very) complex issue due to concerns about political dissent and information control.
Despite steps to modernise its digital infrastructure, I think that the balance between technological advancements and maintaining political control continues to shape the landscape of digital governance in this Caribbean country.
Its undemocratic character has not changed despite a transition in political leadership between 2018 and 2021 that included the introduction of a new constitution.
EGDI ranking in e-governance
Analysing the digital government of Cuba, it’s clear that the country faces several challenges in terms of online services, e-participation, and telecommunication infrastructure.
In 2022, the digital government of Cuba provided only seven services online, a stark contrast to the majority of countries in the Americas and the Caribbean, where 63% offer more than 16 services.
The Online Service Index for Cuba is quite low, standing at 0.2789, well below both regional (0.4291) and global (0.5585) averages.
E-participation in Cuba is exceptionally low, too with a value of 0.1364, highlighting a minimal level of citizen engagement in digital governance.
Additionally, the country’s telecommunication infrastructure (TII), with a value of 0.3663, falls considerably below the global average of 0.5751. Despite efforts like price cuts and promotions, internet services in Cuba remain expensive for most citizens. While some can connect through state institutions, the quality is often low, shared among users, and subject to censorship.
On a positive note, Cuba has higher values in Human Capital Index (HCI) compared to the global average. This suggests a well-educated populationi in digitalisation, and it also suggests a population potentially with untapped potential for contributing to the digital economy and governance.
In the overall assessment, the digital government of Cuba is ranked 136th out of 193 countries in the 2022 report – which is the latest report available.
However, the presence of a female Chief Information Officer (CIO) in Cuba is a positive highlight amid the broader gender disparities in e-government leadership globally. Among the 111 countries with chief information officers (CIOs) or equivalent positions according to the 2022 E-government report, only 11% are female. Cuba (alongside Belize, Peru, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) was among the few countries in the Americas with a female CIO.
Where to go next?
Cuba’s absence from many international reports on digital governance is primarily due to a lack of transparency in responding to survey questions. This gap in information makes it challenging to assess and compare the performance of the digital government of Cuba on a global scale.
But there are some areas where Cuba can focus on the future.
While digital literacy in Cuba is notably high, the focus needs to shift towards ensuring internet accessibility for all. This involves not just the right infrastructure but also affordable pricing, considering that internet services remain expensive for most Cubans.
A critical area for improvement is the provision, delivery, and design of online services. Currently, the digital government of Cuba faces challenges with limited online services and low e-participation. Enhancing these aspects would contribute significantly to creating a more inclusive and effective digital governance environment.
Cuba’s telecommunications infrastructure, falling behind global standards, requires attention to meet the demands of a digitally evolving society. To bridge this gap, strategic investments in technology and communication infrastructure are essential.
Final thoughts
Focusing on improving internet accessibility, enhancing online services, and addressing gender diversity in leadership are key steps that I believe would significantly elevate the digital government of Cuba.
These efforts would not only bring Cuba up to global standards but also ensure that the benefits of digital advancements are accessible to all citizens.
Sources:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/43-Cuba
https://idea.usaid.gov/cd/cuba/information-and-communications-technology-ict
https://freedomhouse.org/country/cuba/freedom-net/2023#footnote1_8y8y244
