Digitalization of Public Sector Institutions in Zimbabwe: Towards transparent, accountable and sustainable public service delivery

Public sector digitalization is a strategic reform strategy that involves the adoption of digital technologies in public sector institutions to make them efficient, accountable and transparent in delivering services. Initiatives to digitalize public sector institution are often triggered by the need to address bureaucracy and related administrative malpractices associated with non-digital administrative systems. In particular, challenges such as institutionalized corruption and sluggish service delivery have amplified the need for digitalizing public sector institutions. Through a qualitative desktop review research method, this article analyses the sectoral digital governance systems that have been adopted in the public sector in Zimbabwe as part of the efforts to revamp service delivery and the management of public information as part of the efforts to achieve sustainable service delivery. The paper reveals that public sector digitalization in Zimbabwe results in reduction in public sector corruption as well as improved transparency, accountability, responsiveness and efficiency in public service delivery. The study found that the wave of public sector digitalization has reached Zimbabwe as central and local government institutions are swiftly embracing digital systems that can transform their service delivery obligations. Public sector digitalization in Zimbabwe is being pursed in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 which obligates governments to build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels and one of the modern strategy for digitalization has been the adoption of digital systems, widely known as digitalization. In this regard, public institutions in sectors such as public finance management, the judiciary, local governance and public procurement have all adopted different digital systems that help them to transform their service delivery capabilities and improve interactions with their stakeholders. However, the digitalization of public sector institutions in Zimbabwe has faced contextual drawbacks that have dragged the progress in adopting digital systems. The paper reveals that the main drawbacks against public sector digitalization in Zimbabwe include the limited Internet connectivity to facilitate cyberspace interactions as well as the shortage of relevant devices to participate in the virtual governance world. There is substantial potential for public sector institutions in Zimbabwe to reach even greater heights in terms of full digitalization. This potential can be unlocked by committing resources towards developing Information Communication Technology infrastructure in the country, improving commitment towards digital skills amongst public sector employees and citizens as well as transitioning to reliable energy sources such as solar. The central government should adequately resource its departments to enable them to fully embrace and utilise digital systems that are relevant to their service delivery mandates.