CivicTechs and GovTechs: Policy Digitalisation in Perspective

In the last decade, digitalisation processes have morphed into distinctive and somewhat interrelated pathways for public policy and governance. This has produced layered and parallel research agendas and study areas primarily linked to the purpose and user trajectories. The subsequent “policy digitalisation” as the alignment of digital technologies in their interconnected forms to enhance public effectiveness and improve governance processes, has encompassed four main pathways: (a) government-to-citizen pathways such as RegTechs and Digital Money, (b) government-to-government pathways like e-procurement platforms, (c) citizen-to-government pathways such as digital activism or civic engagement, and (d) citizen-to-citizen or business-to-citizen pathways such as FinTechs and LendTechs, mobile money, etc. These pathways have mainly thrived in an interactive fashion due to a mixed basket of local digital innovations in developing countries, as well as increased international actors’ funding and engagement in governance processes. The result highlights the potential of local communities to initiate change in their own interactions with the governments, influencing public policymaking and evaluation. In this volume, the focus is particularly on the digital innovations currently shaping relations between citizen-government (CivicTechs) and government-citizen (GovTechs) in Africa. Even though CivicTechs and GovTechs have attracted increased investment and are significantly impacting digital development in African governance processes, there are hardly any specific books dedicated to explaining what they are and how they are being applied in the African context and elsewhere. This volume aims to fill this gap by highlighting areas for further research and practical engagement in African public policy. This chapter introduces this volume’s aim and provides an overview of the different chapters.