E-Governance as good governance? evidence from 15 West African countries

• Published in: Information technology for development 2023-07, Vol.29 (2-3), p.256-275
• Main Authors: Akpan-Obong, Patience I., Trinh, Mai P., Ayo, Charles K., Oni, Aderonke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Correlation analysis; E-governance; E-government; ECOWAS countries; Electronic government; Empirical analysis; Geopolitics; Good governance; ICTs; Indicators
• ISSN: 0268-1102; 1554-0170
• DOI: 10.1080/02681102.2022.2123770

This research examines assumptions about the relationship between e-governance and governance in 15 West African countries through an analysis of the 2016 and 2018 World Governance Indicators (WGI) and E-government Development Index (EDGI), proxies for governance and e-governance, respectively. A Pearson correlation analysis demonstrates a significant positive correlation between WGI and EDGI. When disaggregated, however, some dimensions of governance fail to correlate with e-governance. Notably, governance indicators correlate positively with each other thus reinforcing the critical role of traditional institutions of governance in achieving good governance. The study concludes that while ICTs are effective in advancing the goals of governments, they achieve better outcomes when integrated with established institutions and structures of governance. It advances an understanding of the concepts of development and governance by providing empirical evidence of the prospects and limitations of ICTs in the administrative practices of governments, especially in geopolitical contexts of limited resources.