This debate will seek to examine the latest thinking on transforming government by joining up public services through ICT that makes government more accountable, transparent and effective as well as improving service delivery, information availability and citizen engagement.

Of course, successful eGovernment relies on connectivity and bandwidth availability and there are still many challenges facing African countries relating to these key issues.

It is important, therefore, that we learn to understand this landscape but also what governments are seeking to achieve so that all stakeholders can make informed decisions, which in turn dictates policy.

By addressing the issues and optimising bandwidth, governments can improve efficiency, save money and deliver better services, while the citizen will benefit from faster delivery and more engagement with all levels of government.

Consultation is vital in this process so that systems can be made robust and programmes can be properly monitored. Effective management and evaluation of eGovernment will improve efficiency and lead to citizen-centric outcomes.

Key questions that need to be addressed include the following:

• How can technology be best used to give the citizen in African countries electronic access to enhanced government services and how can government benefit through cost savings and efficiency?

• What should those services be to make best use of the available infrastructure and best benefit the citizen, particularly in rural areas?

• How can web 2.0 innovations be implemented into eGovernment services while they are being developed and is there a role for user-driven open content in these public services?

• How can government leverage value from web 2.0 on the journey from eGovernment to eGovernance?

• Many of these objectives will depend on bandwidth availability, but how can this be maximised and, when absent, how can services still be provided?

• How can municipalities be encouraged in the use of ICT tools to enhance good governance? Is enough being done to educate local decision makers?

• What role should non-governmental organizations and, indeed, the private sector play in the development of good governance and what specific challenges do they face in doing so?

• Transparency and accountability in all government is vital. How can this be maximised and guaranteed in African countries?