How to Improve Government Openness for Sustainable Development: The Interaction of Four Factors in African Countries

Eun G Park

doi:10.3390/su13148000

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to: estimate African countries’ Government Openness Index (AGOI) to see the updated progress of open government in those countries, examine which areas African countries should further improve for sustainable development, and compare the performance of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) member countries to that of non-OGP countries in forming AGOI. This study developed the AGOI with 32 selected countries and four factors (ACC (accountability), TRA (transparency), CPF (citizen participation and freedom) and ICT (information and communication technology)) for the period of 2006–2019. The results show that African countries have continuously increased the values of AGOI for the period. ACC has barely changed, but TRA has increased slightly. Both CPF and ICT have increased at higher growth rates during the period. The OGP group reached much better scores than their non-OGP counterparts, with positive differences in AGOI, ICT, CPF, and TRA, except ACC. The results of this study suggest that the constantly increasing CPF and ICT levels in countries that have similar conditions as African countries should be further improved to function well enough to build accountability and transparency. It is also recommended that countries join the OGP in order to move towards improving government openness and creating sustainable development.

Highlights

Introduction and Context of the StudyAs the open government movement has been a major global concern in recent years, the way in which open government influences the sustainable development of countries has become an important issue
Since the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a central international body, was founded in 2011 by eight countries (i.e., Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States), the OGP has currently grown to 78 national members and 56 local jurisdiction members
In 2013, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre organized a conference for thirty civil society organizations to share knowledge and experience related to open government from the countries that first joined the OGP (e.g., Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa and Tanzania [2])

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and Context of the StudyAs the open government movement has been a major global concern in recent years, the way in which open government influences the sustainable development of countries has become an important issue. Member countries have made over 3100 commitments to making their governments more open and accountable [1]. As of March 2021, fifteen African countries have joined the OGP; as a part of the requirements to join, they have made action plans committing to opening government tenets and reforms, such as bringing about the development of an openness in governance, legislature and laws, and the rights of citizens. To increase an awareness of open government in African countries, some governments have hosted conferences. In 2013, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre organized a conference for thirty civil society organizations to share knowledge and experience related to open government from the countries that first joined the OGP (e.g., Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa and Tanzania [2]).

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion