You know, when we talk about e-governance and e-participation, Angola’s journey is quite an interesting one. In the big African picture, they’re doing pretty well in terms of offering online services (according to the latest UN E-government survey). I mean, imagine this… in a continent where the average is about 12 online services, Angola’s stepping up by offering more than 20.
That’s something worth noting, especially when you consider that even some European countries aren’t hitting that mark.
But here’s the catch… despite this progress, Angola still finds itself in the middle of the pack. They’re not leading the charge, but they’re not lagging too far behind either.
Where does e-Angola stand?
Angola finds itself in the middle ground in terms of its E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and Online Service Index (OSI) ratings. While it’s commendable to offer a wide range of online services, there’s room for improvement in enhancing the quality and accessibility of these services.
One glaring area that requires attention is Angola’s telecommunication infrastructure, which lags behind and demands more investment.
Without a strong and reliable network, all those fancy online services won’t mean much. So, investing more in this area could really give Angola the boost it needs to move up the ranks.
Moreover, there’s a pressing need to ramp up e-participation efforts in e-Angola. In just two years, Angola slipped down by a whopping 22 places in the e-participation rankings. Falling by 22 places within a span of just two years is a cause for concern, especially in a global landscape where digital engagement is becoming increasingly important.
Access to the internet in Angola remains very poor
Access to the internet in e-Angola has long been an area of concern, characterised by significant challenges. However, there have been noticeable improvements in recent years. According to data from the National Institute of Telecommunications (INACOM), the number of mobile internet subscribers reached 9.35 million by December 2022, with nearly 740,000 fixed-line internet subscribers.
Despite these improvements, internet penetration remains relatively low, standing at 39.3%, as reported in the Digital 2024 Angola report by DataReportal. While the number of mobile phone users has seen a significant increase, reaching 29.2 million by January 2024, issues such as lack of internet signal, network instability, and high prices continue to plague users, according to service providers.
One of the major hurdles to widespread internet access in Angola is poor infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. The country’s electricity system is fragmented, serving only a fraction of the rural population, with power outages being a common occurrence.
Although efforts have been made to improve access, such as expanding 3G wireless network coverage to 90 percent of the population, challenges persist. Addressing these infrastructure shortcomings will be essential to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to information and communication technologies (ICT) across Angola.
The state of public services
I’ll get right into it. The SEPE website has become a hub for a variety of essential public e-services, offering convenience and accessibility to citizens. From enrolling in driving schools to accessing electronic student records and applying for various licenses, the platform covers a wide spectrum of needs.
Services are organised by sectors and procedures, streamlining the application process for users. To access these services, individuals are required to register using their unique Taxpayer and Identity Card numbers, ensuring security and accountability.
Similarly, the General Tax Administration‘s website serves as a central hub for taxpayers, offering tools like a tax simulator to calculate taxes and a taxpayer portal for submitting tax returns electronically.
It even provides access to a Tax Simulator that helps calculate the taxes that need to be paid. Last year, in January 2023, the administration introduced a platform for scheduling appointments, further enhancing convenience for taxpayers.
Moreover, there have been significant advancements in identification methods, with the implementation of electronic signatures since January 1, 2023. This serves as an additional means of secure identification alongside the universal electronic ID introduced in the mid-2010s.
But here’s the thing… there’s still room for growth. While electronic signatures and electronic IDs are great steps forward, there’s one piece missing from the puzzle: face recognition. It’s a technology that holds a lot of promise when it comes to streamlining identification processes. So, perhaps that’s something to consider down the road.
Final thoughts
By addressing infrastructure gaps, promoting digital literacy, and prioritizing citizen-centric approaches, Angola can continue to advance its digital governance agenda and harness the full potential of technology for the benefit of its citizens.
However, I can say that the trajectory of e-Angola is promising.
Sources
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/5-Angola
