In just two years, digital Peru managed to improve its E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and E-Participation Index (EPI) values significantly, leading to a remarkable improvement in its international rankings.
Moving from the high to the very high EGDI group is a notable achievement, especially considering that Peru was one of only four countries worldwide to make this jump. Climbing 12 places to rank 59th in e-government and leaping forward by 33 places to rank 22nd in e-participation (out of 193 countries assessed) is indeed remarkable.
Peru’s success can be attributed to its focus on capitalising on very high levels of human capital development and infrastructure development, leading to very high Online Service Index (OSI) levels.
This strong foundation has undoubtedly contributed to its impressive performance on the global stage.
However, despite these advancements, one area of concern is the time it takes to complete procedures with the government of digital Peru, which is longer compared to most (if not all) other countries in the region.
Multiple internal and external collaborations.
Peru’s extensive collaboration efforts, both domestically and internationally, are a massive driving force for innovation and improvement of e-government services.
Internationally, Peru’s participation in projects like the Building the Europe Links with Latin America (BELLA) initiative shows its commitment to improving connectivity. By joining forces with European and Latin American networks, Peru wants and is trying to establish ultra-high-speed cable connectivity…which can significantly benefit research, education, and overall digital development.
Also, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved in 2023 a $50-million loan to Peru to improve and expand access to the government service of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. This program seeks to expand digital citizenship opportunities in Peru, particularly for marginalised groups.
At the regional level, Peru’s collaboration with Colombia, Mexico, and Paraguay through the Better Than Cash Alliance is another great collaboration with a focus on transitioning towards digital payment systems. This initiative aligns with broader goals of reducing poverty and inclusive growth through digital innovation.
On the national front, Peru’s collaborative efforts among public agencies to launch the National Policy on Digital Transformation are commendable. Also, establishing the National Digital Talent Platform, which provides training for thousands of residents nationwide, reflects a concerted effort to build capacity and drive digital skills development at scale.
Moreover, Peru’s adoption of e-participation initiatives at both national and local levels, facilitated by platforms like ‘Plataforma Participa Perú’ and Facilita Perú, is another great achievement. These are well-designed and executed engagement portals, according to an OECD report, even though the service catalogue could be broader.
On the other hand, Peru’s adoption of standards for service design and delivery (which is inspired by the UK’s Government Digital Service) shows and proves its commitment to providing user-centric and efficient government services. And, additionally, its exploration of Estonia’s X-Road platform proves Peru’s willingness to learn from international best practices and use such innovative solutions for its digital infrastructure.
Digital Peru data policy and laws – the best in the region
Peru’s Digital Government Law is a model in the region for using regulations to enhance data governance within the public sector and bridge gaps between different areas.
The law provides a solid legal foundation for the development of a comprehensive ‘Data Governance and Management Framework for the Peruvian State.’ This framework (once again) aligns with international best practices observed in countries like the Netherlands, the US, and Japan.
It sets the stage for the development of the National Data Strategy for Peru, which is crucial for guiding the country’s digitalisation efforts.
One notable aspect is Peru’s formalisation of the Data Governance Official role within public bodies by law, making it the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean to do so.
In 2023, Peru took another significant step forward by issuing its national data strategy, which is structured around six key pillars:
- data as an asset,
- data management,
- data infrastructure,
- ethics,
- talent,
- and the data ecosystem.
Peru’s data strategy/policy is deeply rooted and connected to digitalisation efforts in the country and the digital government agenda.
Final thoughts
According to the OECD, Peru receives low scores for government effectiveness and the control of corruption. These factors can hinder the effectiveness of any digital governance initiatives and impede progress.
So, without strong government effectiveness and transparency, it can be difficult to implement digital solutions effectively and ensure accountability in their use.
Also, moving forward, digital Peru could benefit from developing a comprehensive GovTech strategy to guide its whole transformation journey.
Source:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/133-Peru
https://www.gob.pe/15777-estrategia-nacional-de-gobierno-de-datos
