When it comes to e-Comoros, the challenges are as formidable as they are pressing. As a low-income island nation in Eastern Africa, Comoros grapples with the stark reality of very limited resources…which obviously hinder its ability to invest in important areas for e-government development.
Limited financial means often translate to insufficient investments in telecommunications infrastructure, online service provision, and human capital development. Despite the resilience and determination of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like e-Comoros, these obstacles continue to thwart progress.
How’s the state of public services in e-Comoros?
In terms of its digital governance indicators, e-Comoros falls into the low OSI group, reflecting its struggles in providing effective online services. The combination of low TII (telecommunication infrastructure) and middle HCI (human capital) further exacerbates these challenges. Despite having some level of human capital development, the country ranks second to last globally in e-participation according to the UN’s e-government survey.
In recent years, e-Comoros has unfortunately been falling behind despite its moderate levels of human capital development. This downward trend highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the underlying barriers to digital progress.
It’s also an indication of the significant gap between its potential for citizen engagement in digital governance processes and the actual level of participation observed.
International ranking
Let’s talk numbers.
In the latest UN E-government survey of 2022 (the latest available), Comoros landed at the 182nd spot, with an EGDI of 0.28. Comparatively, its regional EGDI stands at 0.41… highlighting a significant gap in digital governance compared to neighboring countries. Over the span of two years, its ranking has regrettably slipped by 5 places.
One of the glaring concerns lies in e-participation, where e-Comoros finds itself among the worst performers globally, sitting at the 192nd position out of 193 countries! This precipitous decline, dropping by 7 places in just two years, proves the pressing need for substantial improvements in citizen engagement and digital interaction.
Now, let’s talk about their online presence, which further reveals inconsistencies and deficiencies. Sure, they’ve got websites for public entities, but it seems like they’re lacking consistency and quality control. While most of the sites follow a general color scheme and style, each one has its own unique design. Which means they often lack standardization in design elements and usability (translation: fragmented user experience.)
Additionally, the prevalence of bugs on certain websites, such as the Ministry of Tourism or the Ministry of Finances‘s site, and the unavailability of others (like the General Administration of Taxes‘ site) underscore the challenges in maintaining a functional and accessible digital infrastructure.
The first national digital strategy was adopted in 2019
Apart from a number of public entities managing the ICT sector in the country (such as the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, ANRTIC), in 2019, the National Digital Development Agency (ANADEN, Agence Nationale de Développement du Numérique), overseeing digitalization in the country, was established. Among other objectives, it is responsible for implementing the first national digital strategy adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2019 – Digital Comoros 2028 (Comores Numérique 2028).
International organizations (such as the UN, the World Bank, and the ITU) provide tangible assistance in the development of e-government in the Union of Comoros.
For e.g. In 2006, the International Telecommunications Union suggested the government Intranet project. Then, in 2021, the United Nations Framework for Cooperation for Sustainable Development (UNSCDF) for Comoros (for the period 2022-2026) was adopted in Moroni covering digital development of the country.
Low internet penetration rate
As of 2024, Comoros faces a significant challenge with internet penetration, standing at 27.3% of the population (according to recent research by Datareportal.)
This means that a substantial portion of the population still lacks access to the internet, hindering their ability to fully engage with digital government services and initiatives.
With only 235.1 thousand internet users, the reach of e-government efforts is inherently limited. A considerable portion of the population remains digitally disconnected, unable to benefit from the convenience and accessibility of online services.
Moreover, while cellular mobile connections are more prevalent – with 643.8 thousand active connections – the disparity between mobile connectivity and internet usage suggests that many individuals may have access to mobile devices but lack access to affordable or reliable internet services.
Final thoughts
So, I would say that for government efforts to succeed in e-Comoros, addressing the barriers to internet access and improving connectivity infrastructure are paramount. Initiatives to expand internet coverage, reduce costs, and enhance network reliability are essential to ensure equitable access to digital services for all citizens.
…Additionally, e-government platforms must be designed with accessibility in mind, catering to diverse user needs and accommodating individuals with limited digital literacy or access to technology.
Sources:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/38-Comoros
