The rapid advancement of technology in recent decades has contributed to the development of e-government, which is commonly defined as the use of information communication technology (ICT) to enhance the delivery of government services to citizens and businesses. E-government also involves the application of ICT to optimize the effectiveness of internal government operations. As society has become increasingly digitized, countries around the world have made e-government a focus of their state policy to capitalize on the benefits correlated with it. E-governance can encourage good governance building, greater efficiency and accessibility (of services), as well as economic growth. Despite the benefits associated with e-government, not all countries have been able to experience them on a constructive level – Lebanon being a primary one. To date, Lebanon has introduced e-governance initiatives such as the national Digital Transformation Strategy, yet these initiatives often remain largely unimplemented (Tayara 2020). Additionally, the Ministry of State for Administrative Reform introduced the online e-government platform Dawlati to provide citizens with an inclusive e-government service portal, yet the platform is often unavailable, as well as outdated and limited in scope as it primarily serves informational purposes only (Fakhoury and Aubert 2017). However, non-governmental and private organizations have stepped in to fulfill this detrimental gap in government-backed e-services in Lebanon. For instance, Liban Post, the national post office of Lebanon (privately owned) has created an online government services business line (through a private public partnership contract) that allows citizens to engage with services such as property tax payments and work permit renewals. On the other hand, it is important to acknowledge the (limited) successful e-government initiatives overseen by the Lebanese government that aim to boost the country’s e-governance capacity – such as the Central Inspection Board’s IMPACT Open Data platform. The IMPACT Open Data platform, which stands for the Inter-Ministerial and Municipal Platform for Assessment, works to provide citizens with government data and information to increase national transparency and accountability. The platform also provides the public with beneficial services, including those which seek to alleviate the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on citizens.   The presence of operable e-government platforms in Lebanon such as those supported by Liban Post and the Central Inspection Board illustrate how there is potential for Lebanon to expand and advance its e-government services. Lebanon’s present capacity to improve its e-government systems is also supported by its ICT index ranking – which is frequently measured by the International Telecommunication Union. On a global level, Lebanon’s ICT ranking is 64 (out of 176 countries), meaning that the country has witnessed a considerable degree of ICT development. However, Lebanon’s e-government development ranking, which was determined by the United Nations in 2020, is 127. What is interesting to consider is that countries with similar or slightly lower ICT rankings than Lebanon have been able to develop much stronger and efficient e-government systems. For instance, Azerbaijan’s ICT ranking is 65 while its e-government ranking is 70 (57 places higher than Lebanon). Similarly, Moldova’s ICT ranking is 59 while its E-government ranking is 79 (48 places higher than Lebanon). Here, it becomes evident that despite Lebanon having an adequate ICT system to support the advancement and implementation of e-government practices (when compared to other countries), the potential of this ICT to enable large-scale e-governance transformation in Lebanon has not yet been fully realized. Reasons for Lebanon’s low e-government ranking despite its relatively stable high ICT ranking vary but include the fact that the country did not successfully implement a whole-of-government approach to e-government (unlike Azerbaijan and Moldova). It should also be noted that the political and economic insecurity that Lebanon has experienced throughout recent decades has hindered the country’s ability to effectively integrate ICT into government activities (Fakhoury and Aubert 2017). A poor economy coupled with ongoing political corruption and gridlock decreases the ability (and will) of prominent state and non-state actors to commit to, and invest in efforts that would effectively enhance the structure of Lebanon’s e-government. In both Azerbaijan and Moldova, e-governance developments receive a high degree of political commitment and are directly overseen by state entities – allowing for more effective implementation of e-governance initiatives. Additionally, both Azerbaijan and Moldova have established e-governance development centers which support the country’s e-governance objectives and strategies. Interestingly, it should also be acknowledged that a 2012 survey performed by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers found that only 22.5% of central government employees in Lebanon routinely use the internet (Presidency of the Council of Ministers 2012) while in Azerbaijan and Moldova this percentage is nearly 100% (International Telecommunication Union 2014) – further displaying the lack of ICT usage within Lebanon’s government. When considering the successful components of a country’s e-governance policies, it is crucial to pay attention to the country’s commitment to transparency and information sharing. In Azerbaijan, the Open Data Portal of the Republic of Azerbaijan allows citizens and agencies alike to access an extensive amount of data pertaining to the activities, status, and services of government agencies. The portal also allows members of the public to provide feedback on the efficiency and accessibility of the portal – allowing for the open data tool to be updated and adjusted on a needs-basis. Similar to Azerbaijan, Moldova’s Open Data portal provides citizens with access to datasets of government agencies, and works to enhance citizen-government engagement. Unfortunately, the limited degree to which national e-government initiatives in Lebanon provide for increased transparency and information sharing makes it difficult for the country to experience the benefits associated with e-government. In the field of e-government, both the practices of transparency and information sharing promote anti-corruption and active citizen participation in political processes (Bertot, Jaegar, and Grimes 2010) – two outcomes that have the potential to largely improve the lives of Lebanese citizens. At SmartGov, we are working to make transparency and information sharing primary (not supplement) components of e-government initiatives in the state to increase the inclusiveness and effectiveness of state institutions. Our leading experts and researchers, along with our strong partners take a productive bottom-up, interoperable, and participatory approach to e-governance systems that is suited for Lebanon’s distinct political, economic, and social context(s). It is our vision for Lebanese citizens to have digital access to government data that can contribute to positive and more sustainable decision-making processes.



Citations: Bertot, J. C., Jaeger, P. T., & Grimes, J. M. (2010, April 27). Using ICTs to create a culture of transparency: E-government and social media as openness and anti-corruption tools for societies. Government Information Quarterly. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740624X10000201. Fakhoury , R., & Aubert , B. (2017). Diffusion and Usage of Public E-Service Indicators and Drivers in Lebanon. ResearchGate . https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318492818_Diffusion_and_Usage_of_Public_E-Service_Indicators_and_Drivers_in_Lebanon. Partnership On Measuring ICT For Development. (n.d.). FINAL WSIS TARGETS REVIEW – UNESCO. http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/partnership-on-measuring-ict-for-development-final-wsis-targets-review-achievements-challenges-and-the-way-forward-2014-en.pdf. Presidency of the Council of Ministers. (2012). Presidency of the Council of Ministers ICT Indicators for Lebanon . http://www.databank.com.lb/docs/Official%20ICT%20Indicators%20for%20Lebanon-May%202012.pdf. Tayara , G. (2020). Taking Lebanon Online. Carnegie Middle East Center. https://carnegie-mec.org/diwan/81679.