Positioned in Western Africa, e-Libya falls into the low group of the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), indicating that its digital governance is still in the early stages of development. This suggests that there’s room for growth in terms of leveraging technology for efficient and transparent governance.
However, what’s interesting is that despite its lower EGDI ranking, e-Libya boasts an exceptionally well-developed human capital, surpassing the world average. This is a rare exception (seen in only a few countries), highlighting the potential for advancement in digital governance with the right investments in place.
On the flip side, e-Libya faces challenges in its telecommunication infrastructure, with a low Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (low TII, which is an indicator of e-governance according to the DESA publication.)
This suggests that while e-Libya may face challenges in its digital infrastructure and governance frameworks, its people are remarkably skilled and capable when it comes to technology.
What I like most about this scenario is the potential it holds for future growth. With such a strong human capital base, there’s a solid foundation upon which to build. Investing in bridging the gap between infrastructure and human capital could yield substantial benefits for e-Libya in the long run.
Snapshot of e-Libya
Internationally, Libya’s e-government ranking paints a stark picture, landing at 169th out of 193 countries in the latest UN assessment. What’s particularly concerning is the decline of 7 places in just two years, indicating a troubling trend. Moreover, its e-participation standing, consistently at 189th place for the past four years, highlights a significant lag in citizen engagement within the digital sphere.
I believe that understanding Libya’s digital governance requires considering the complex factors that have shaped its current state. One of the most significant influences has been the decade-long period of conflict that began with the 2011 revolution. This prolonged period of instability has diverted attention and resources away from efforts to modernise and reform governance and the economy.
While the government may express intentions to priorities digitalization, there are significant hurdles to execution. Inadequate digital infrastructure, characterized by limited access to reliable internet services, poses a fundamental challenge to expanding digital governance initiatives. Additionally, a piecemeal approach to digitalization (lacking an overarching strategy) results in disjointed efforts and inefficiencies.
What I find concerning… is the insufficient legal and regulatory frameworks, which are essential for creating a conducive environment for digital innovation and investment. Without clear guidelines and regulations, citizens may hesitate to fully engage in digital activities…further stalling progress in digital governance.
Internet connectivity issues
Looking at Libya’s internet connectivity issues, I believe it’s crucial to understand the various factors contributing to the challenges faced in this regard. High demand for internet services, coupled with damage to infrastructure from unauthorized construction, sabotage, and theft of ICT equipment, all play significant roles in the country’s poor connectivity.
With approximately 25% of mobile towers damaged or stolen, it’s clear that physical infrastructure has been a target amidst the turmoil. This damage not only disrupts current connectivity but also poses obstacles to rebuilding efforts, which are essential for improving access and reliability.
Additionally, unauthorized construction and sabotage further exacerbate the situation, making it difficult to maintain and expand internet infrastructure. These activities not only undermine the stability of existing networks but also impede efforts to introduce new technologies and services.
I believe it’s noteworthy that despite these challenges, there has been a very slight increase in internet penetration in recent years. According to a ITU report from 2022, the percentage of the population using the internet in e-Libya stood at 88%.
According to another source there were 6.13 million internet users in e-Libya at the beginning of 2024, with internet penetration reaching 88.4%. Additionally, the proliferation of cellular mobile connections, totaling 12.40 million in early 2024 and equivalent to 179.1% of the total population, highlights the widespread use of mobile devices for internet access.
However, despite these figures, a significant portion of the population—approximately 801.6 thousand individuals—still do not have access to the internet.
In light of these challenges, I believe addressing issues such as infrastructure damage and instability caused by conflict will be crucial for improving internet connectivity and ensuring widespread access to digital services for the Libyan population.
Sources:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/97-Libya
https://freedomhouse.org/country/libya/freedom-world/2023
https://www.usaid.gov/digital-development/libya-digital-ecosystem-country-assessment
