Digital Guatemala, this Central American country rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty, has been gradually (and slowly) advancing its digital governance.
It has shown a huge commitment to enhancing its digital infrastructure and services in recent years, but it still has a long way to go.
In the latest UN E-Government Survey, Guatemala ranked 126th out of 193 countries assessed, still falling in the high EGDI group.
While this indicates some level of advancement, Grenada still falls below the regional and global averages in key parameters such as human capital, infrastructure, and online services.
What’s more, in two years (between the two reports) Guatemala doesn’t seem to be moving forward at the same pace most countries in the region have as it has lost 5 places in EGDI report.
As the report suggests, digital Guatemala has high EGDI values (0.5111) but an average EPI value (0.3295.)
Other highlights of digital Guatemala
Guatemala’s digital governance shows some notable strengths as well as areas for improvement.
One significant positive aspect is the government’s strong commitment and clear vision outlined in the Digital Government Plan for 2021-2026. This leadership is vital for driving digital transformation and securing necessary funding for inclusive public services.
In terms of connectivity, digital Guatemala has achieved impressive coverage.
- The entire population is covered by a mobile cellular network,
- 95% covered by a 3G network
- 88 % covered by a 4G network.
This solid foundation sets the stage for further improving national connectivity and expanding access to digital services.
However, there are some challenges in the innovation ecosystem.
While Guatemala has the necessary elements for innovation (such as human capital and public institutions), these components seem less coordinated. So, I believe there’s an opportunity for government intervention to unify innovation efforts under a cohesive vision.
By aligning initiatives with national priorities, Guatemala can streamline its digital efforts and ensure maximum impact to its citizens.
Over the past decade, the Government of Guatemala has implemented long-term policies to support the development of the digital economy.
While progress in this area may not be entirely clear, data suggests that there has been some impact on financial inclusion, indicating that efforts to promote digital inclusion are beginning to yield results.
Urgent need to invest in technical expertise and digital solutions
I think it’s evident that the country has taken steps towards embracing digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a catalyst for whole-of-society transformation.
DPI encompasses elements such as data exchange layers, digital payment mechanisms, and national digital ID systems. While digital Guatemala has made progress in this regard, challenges still remain, particularly when it comes to data management and governance.
What do I mean by this? Well, for example, the launch of the Open Data Portal by the Ministry of Finance was a step forward, but issues like outdated data and insufficient governance persist.
Similarly, digital ID systems offer access to essential services, yet barriers like awareness, digital literacy, and technical limitations hinder widespread adoption.
So, despite a strong institutional and/or legal framework, there’s a need for investment in technical expertise and digital solutions.
For example, the Ministry of Finance has been working to integrate digital payment platforms at the municipal level. However, these initiatives are (and have been) fragmented, and there is no comprehensive strategy in place within the existing Digital Government Plan to promote widespread adoption of digital payments.
Where to focus in the future?
I think one key area that requires immediate attention is the lack of a central strategy or policy for the digitalization of government services or systems (yes, they lack a central policy.)
Establishing a cohesive strategy would provide direction and guidance for the digital transformation of government services.
Another important thing to note for digital Guatemala is addressing the existing gaps in internet use and overcoming regulatory barriers to innovation.
While the country has relatively high network coverage, there are still segments of the population that lack access to the internet, especially in rural and underserved areas. This digital divide persists across various factors such as gender, geography, income, education, literacy, and ethnicity.
Additionally, efforts to remove regulatory barriers and promote innovation should be pursued to encourage the development and adoption of new technologies that can benefit all citizens.
Sources:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/69-Guatemala
https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-05/Guatemala%20DECA%20Report.pdf
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Dashboards/Pages/Digital-Development.aspx
