Effective information technology governance (ITG) is essential for organizations to achieve their strategic objectives and make informed decisions. In developing countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Cuba, the need for robust ITG frameworks is heightened due to challenges like limited resources, inadequate expertise, and complex regulatory landscapes. In this study, we review extant literature to determine the effectiveness of ITG frameworks in developing countries. The paper aims to identify, assess, and synthesize the obstacles and successes associated with their implementation. The findings elicit the role of strategic alignment in IT, effective risk management practices, and the importance of adapting global IT governance frameworks, like COBIT and ITIL, for developed countries. We formulate the properties of a conceptual framework tailored to address the challenges and promote an optimized approach to effectively utilizing IT governance in developing countries. Such an ITG framework could help organizations achieve IT compliance and manage financial and regulatory risks. Our research offers insights for practitioners and policymakers, advocating for flexible, context-specific IT governance solutions to foster sustainable organizational growth in developing regions.