Excellence in digital government

Registration Opened, 

05 Jan 2026 - 17 May 2026

Event dates

17 Aug 2026 - 21 Aug 2026

Location

Global or multi-regional, Johannesburg South Africa

Training topics

E-government

Training type

Face to Face

Languages

English

Coordinators

• Nokhanyo Yolwa
• Ghazi Mabrouk

Course level

Intermediate

Duration

60 hours

Event email contact

[email protected]

Event Organizer(s)

Supported by

Description

This training provides a comprehensive understanding of the key challenges and success factors involved in investing in digital government with a particular focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), GovStack, and interoperable, whole-of-government approaches to digital transformation. The programme is structured around three areas of knowledge sharing, and skills development organised.  

The first area explores the foundations of digital transformation and the social and economic value created by digital technologies. The second focuses on digital-era governance, examining the impact of digitalisation on public administration, sectors, and service delivery. The third area critically assesses digital government strategies and the capabilities required to implement them effectively. 

 With funding from the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, participation in this training programme is free of charge for selected applicants. This includes accommodation, meals, and other planned learning activities during the training. Participants or their organizations are responsible for covering their travel expenses to Johannesburg, South Africa and visa cost, if necessary.  

Target population

This course is open for:  

• Government officials and regulators
• Experts in digital government or digital service regulation
• Lawyers, journalists, union officials, and NGO representatives in relevant sectors
• The maximum number of participants is limited to 30 persons. 

Entry requirements

Members of the target audience are invited to apply if they meet the following criteria: 

• Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, or have at least three years of relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrate fluency in English.
• Complete the application questionnaire and submit an up-to-date CV, along with either an employer recommendation letter or a motivation letter. 

Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are strongly encouraged to apply. Selection will be made by the course organisers based on the eligibility criteria, the application questionnaire, and the submitted recommendation or motivation letter. 

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:  

• Assess the implications of digital disruption for the governance of society and the economy.
• Evaluate Public Value Creation in Digital Government Innovations.
• Design Digital Government Strategies.   
• Identify and explain emerging core systems for Digital Government.
• Determine requirements for Governance, Regulation & Ethics.
• Evaluate Data-Driven and Evidence-Based Decision and Policy Making. 

Methodology

The teaching methodology of this course consists of:

• Pre-and post-course recommended reading materials
• Interactive lectures with subject matter experts
• The course will run for 4.5 days with 4 hours of face-to-face interactive lectures and 2 hours of either in-class practice exercises or group work per day
• Group assignment and slide plus verbal presentation

Assessment and grading

Attendance:

• Participants must attend at least 80% of the sessions to meet the attendance requirement. 

Grading Matrix:

• Group Assignment: 50%
• Individual Assignment: 50%

Certification Criteria:

• Participants must successfully pass both the Group and Individual assignments
• A combined score of at least 70% across both assignments is required to qualify for the ITU certificate

Training details and instructional approach

Pre-training sessions 

Governance in a digital age: key concepts (Pre-reading)

• Self-study preparation with recommended readings.

Initial preparation for case studies. 

• Convey case studies of interest though survey response.

Day 1: Monday, 17 August 2026 

Session 1: Introduction and positioning of digital government

• Define the nature of adaptive governance during digital disruption.
• Explain the characteristics of digital government and its evolution.
• Outline the important emphasis on digital government as an integrated, socio-technical phenomenon in the broader context of government.

Session 2: Introduction to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

• Outline the core functions of DPI in identification, electronic data interchange systems and the digital payments.

Day 2: Tuesday, 18 August 2026 

Session 3: Developing digital government strategy for public value

• Distinguish between different forms of Digital Government Strategy.  
• Explore the idea of harnessing digital technologies to achieve idea of a service state, with a focus on a whole-of-government approach.
• Explore openness and transparent government, a case of Open Government Partnership (OGP).
• Discuss the role of regulation impact assessment as part of the developing government strategy, with examples from South Africa and the UK or EU.

Session 4: GovStack session 2

• Introduction to GovStack and its architecture .

Day 3: Wednesday, 19 August 2026  

Session 5: Digital transformation of government – administrative perspective

• Explore the emergence of Data-led Governance in the context of digital transformation. 
• Discuss the significance of interoperability as a key mechanism for achieving digital transformation in government.
• Identify the key impacts of digital innovation on the administrative apparatus of government.
• Identify and review the processes involved in public service digitalisation.
• Analyse the channels for delivering digital public services.

Session 6: GovStack session 3

• Explore the Unconditional Social Cash Transfer (USCT) as a case study to understand the GoveStack DPI approach.

Day 4: Thursday, 20 August 2026 

Session 7: Data-driven and evidence-based decision and policy making

• Utilise policy modelling to incorporate adoption of disruptive technologies in government services to enable smart cities.
• Analyse the governance of automated decision-making in government and its ethical considerations.

Session 8: GovStack

• Explore the role of an Information Mediator building block in GoveStack, and the DPGs (with X-Road) role in advancing digital sovereignty.

Online final exam 

Day 5: Friday, 21 August 2026 

• Group presentations
• Course evaluation
• Award of certificates

Tutors

Ntsibane Ntlatlapa

Lucienne Abrahams

Registration information

Document on registration information (English)

Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.