Open Source and Free Software

for eGovernment

‘Gbenga Sesan
African Youth focal point for FOSSFA, Nigeria
Nigeria’s Information Technology Youth Ambassador
www.fossfa.org |me@gbengasesan.com | www.gbengasesan.com

Mobilising ICT Applications and Projects for Effective Corporate, National and
Regional Development
The Fifth Annual African Computing & Telecommunications Summit
Abuja, NIGERIA. 27 August 2003.
 OVERVIEW
 eGovernment and Africa’s Response
 Open Source and Free Software in eGovernment
 It’s NOT Just About “TALKS”
 Building Capacity for Sustainability

eGovernment and Africa’s
Governance has always been connected to the “drivers” of the economy


Response
of the day (and the New Economy is driven by ICTs)
Efficiency of governance is strongly influenced by the medium of
delivery
 Globally, governments are looking at better ways of meeting the people’s
needs and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are
proving to be dynamic tools in governance
 Governance structures and models are aligning with the expectations and
“atmosphere” of the 21st century. Governance processes are
electronically enabled – in phases. E.g. government records, taxes,
getting feedback from community, information dissemination,
data/information gathering, elections, administration, etc
 Some African governments are responding to eGovernment with web
presence, I(C)T policies and other actionable steps
 As at 2002, only 3* countries had no web presence. 2* had “affiliated”
(diplomatic missions) web presence and others had between 1 and 138
websites (www.uneca.org/aisi/nici/africagovinternet.htm)
3* (Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Somalia)
2* (Libya and Democratic republic of Congo)
 Open Source and Free Software in
 Among the many considerations for effective governance, issues such as
eGovernment
COST and ACCESS have always been “top priority”. Enthusiasts and
experts highlight these two promises (cost and access) in the adoption of
Open Source and Free Software in eGovernment
 Global trends reveal that Open Source and Free Software are highly
considered as alternatives to proprietary software. Examples include:
 Rhode Island’s efforts in employing open source LAMP (Linux
operating system, Apache web server, MySQL database and PHP, Perl
or Python as programming language) as a technology development
model (eGov Links website, www.egovlinks.com)
 “Texas state Sen. John Corona introduced Bill SB 1579, which would
enable the state to consider open source technology in its software
procurements” (eWeek reports)
 “EGOVOS endorses South Africa’s Open Source strategy” (
www.egovos.org/SouthAfricanStrategy.html)
 “NITDA hosted the African workshop on open source and web
technologies for development … in order to reduce the costs of software
implementations to optimise the limited bandwidth available in
developing countries and adapt applications to local needs” (
www.nitda.org/events/wkshop/oswtd/workshop.php)

It’s NOT Just About
African governments must go beyond receiving “seminar reports” and
“TALKS”
take action with respect to the use of open source and free software in
eGovernment
 Specific areas (among others) to consider are:
 Commitment: Statements and Policies will go a long way in
providing the adequate “environment”
 Procurement: A level filed should exist and selection should be made
based on technical proficiency, without sentiments
 Process Management: An organisation or specialised agency should
be responsible to the government (without the usual bureaucratic
bottle-necks)
 Implementation: Phased implementation will prevent the “cash now
and crash later” model that has bedeviled African government
contracts
 Capacity: The need to build capacity for the deployment of open
source and free software in eGovernment cannot be over emphasised
 Building Capacity for
 A nationwide survey should be conducted to understand the readiness
level of the nation Sustainability
to deploy open source and free software in
eGovernment
 Global trends and best practices should be monitored as this will help to
understand what gaps exist and how much work needs to be done.
Lessons from “similar economies” should be given priority
 The present workforce, especially the “civil service” should be
empowered with the intended technology. (The private sector has its own
way of “dictating” required skill sets)
 Young people – who represent the hope for a sustained eGovernment –
MUST be equipped with appropriate tools. Beginning from what they
study in schools to what they’re exposed to within the community,
young people must be exposed to, and equipped for, the technology
platform that will drive any nation’s eGovernment process
 Implementation MUST adopt a multi-stakeholder approach – civil
society, academia, private sector and special interest groups (women,
youth, “specially abled”, etc) must be involved in the process
Open Source and Free Software
for eGovernment

THANK YOU ‘Gbenga Sesan

African Youth focal point for FOSSFA, Nigeria
Nigeria’s Information Technology Youth Ambassador
www.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com
Mobilising ICT Applications and Projects for Effective Corporate, National and
Regional Development
The Fifth Annual African Computing & Telecommunications Summit
Abuja, NIGERIA. 27 August 2003.