Freedom of information as a catalyst for responsiveness in the e-Government environment: A closer look at Botswana

As Botswana actively transcends to utilizing e-Government as a platform for responsive public service delivery, it is apparent that a probe is done on the role of Freedom of Information (FOI) on government responsiveness. This chapter explores the fundamental concepts of contemporary e-Government and enunciates how FOI can be embedded in the e-Government agenda in the developing world using Botswana as a case. The chapter posits that the delay in adopting FOI in Botswana incapacitates the ability of state actors to exhibit acceptable levels of lucidity and ingenuousness during their delivery of public services and in turn promotes a culture of sluggishness which serves to promote the current existing information asymmetry. The chapter further posits that FOI may help the government of Botswana achieve its commitment towards the attainment of a knowledge-based economy during the period of the National Development Plan (NDP) 10.