Knowledge deficit hinders e-governance progress: report

Bangladesh's ambitious vision for digital transformation faces challenges from gaps in digital literacy, fragmented systems, and limited connectivity, according to a report.

The European Union's "Digital Knowledge Hub: A Scoping Study for Bangladesh's Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2025–2027" said that Bangladesh has made significant strides in digital governance, but persistent hurdles threaten to slow progress toward an inclusive digital society.

The EU report also outlines practical solutions that could address these issues.

The EU's study highlights three core areas essential for digital advancement: digital governance, infrastructure and connectivity, and cybersecurity.

Despite the country's achievements in integrating technology within governance, such as digitised case management and public service, the full impact of these innovations is limited due to delivery deficiencies in digital knowledge and e-participation, especially in rural and underserved communities.

The European Union's Digital Knowledge Hub is an initiative aimed at providing strategic insights, resources and support for digital transformation in various partner countries, especially in developing regions.

The EU's study highlights three core areas essential for digital advancement: digital governance, infrastructure and connectivity, and cybersecurity

It conducts comprehensive studies and evaluations to assess each country's digital landscape, identify challenges, and outline tailored solutions for advancing digital governance, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

One of the report's key findings is the urgent need to improve digital literacy as many citizens, particularly in rural areas, lack basic digital skills.

This restricts their ability to access and benefit from online services, effectively excluding them from the digital governance ecosystem.

Additionally, the fragmented approach to digital initiatives within government agencies has led to a lack of interoperability and reluctance in data sharing, limiting the potential of a unified and efficient digital platform.

The EU proposes targeted support to tackle these challenges.

For instance, expanding digital skills programmes for citizens and government employees is essential to closing the knowledge gap. Structured training for government staff and the establishment of a comprehensive digital skills initiative for the general public could make digital services more accessible and user-friendly.

The report suggests the creation of a public-private partnership (PPP) framework to strengthen public sector capabilities while also encouraging private sector collaboration to drive digital initiatives forward.

In addressing infrastructure challenges, the report identifies the need for robust data centres, reliable last-mile connectivity, and adequate support for judicial and public service infrastructure.

Currently, the lack of sufficient data centres and secure public Wi-Fi zones in underserved areas limits connectivity and access to services.

The EU report proposes developing data centres specifically for critical sectors such as taxation and home affairs, as well as offering free, secure Wi-Fi access in Union Digital Centres (UDCs) and educational institutions like the University of Dhaka.

These measures would not only enhance connectivity but also foster an environment for digital learning and research.

On the cybersecurity front, the report underscores the importance of adopting international standards and best practices, particularly given the increasing threats in the digital domain.

It suggests the development of a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Strategy and an AI-specific cybersecurity framework to preempt emerging risks.

The EU aims to bolster Bangladesh's National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and support its international accreditation, thereby strengthening the nation's incident response capabilities.

The recommendations also extend to enhancing Bangladesh's cybersecurity skills base. The EU plans to back academic institutions in updating cybersecurity curricula and to promote workshops to raise public awareness of cyber hygiene.

These efforts aim to establish a well-informed public that is resilient against cyber threats, further supporting Bangladesh's long-term digital safety.

Beyond technical improvements, the AAP 2023 stresses the importance of inclusive governance by ensuring equitable digital access across the population.

The focus remains on fostering transparent, accountable, and responsive governance systems that cater to all citizens. By addressing the disparities in digital access and providing a robust support structure for e-governance, the EU's assistance could help Bangladesh bridge the digital divide and bring rural communities into the fold of digital governance.

The report also recommends an adaptive approach, with continuous evaluation of digital governance strategies to refine and improve outcomes.

Implementing a unified e-participation strategy, including the introduction of e-petition systems and civic engagement platforms, could further encourage public involvement, enhancing accountability and responsiveness in government.