A Systematic Review on the Extant of Tanzania e-Government Services for Economic Development

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2758625/v1

The current paper investigates the extant of Tanzania e-government services for economic development by focusing at the recent literature through systematic review of literature. The main objective is to look at how researchers are studying e-government services toward achieving the Tanzania national development goals and economic growth, what are the current issues investigated and what is going to be the direction of the topic globally. The findings reveal that the Tanzania e-government services are performed at the ministerial, departmental, agencies and institutions through various information systems including the webpages and social networks. Various levels of e-government implementation and performance are being deployed for public services and economic development. However, a number of factors related to infrastructures, technology, human capital, policy, practitioners and partnerships among others were identified to hinder the delivery of e-government services to the public and brought adverse effect on e-government performance for economic development.

Development Economics

e-government

information technology

economic development

e-services

systematic review

Tanzania

The universal development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has contributed into realisation of the governments’ service provision and improved efficiency and accessibility (Wahid, 2018; Siahaan, 2017). This realisation has influenced and promoted effective strategies on pursuing good governance through electronic delivery of public services and thus transformed to e-government. The e-government platform has predominantly minimized time, distance for public service access and contact between the service provider and the public (Siahaan, 2017). Developed countries over the universe have realized this endeavor and dynamically transformed to a sound e-government public services (Siahaan, 2017; Okeleke, 2019). However, in developing countries the e-government initiatives vary from one region to another subject to various reasons which among others include; economic status, infrastructures and human capital (African Union Development Agency (AUDA), 2022). For instance, the United Nation’s e-government survey report in 2020 indicate that the African region had a promising index of 0.45. It is nearly few of the African countries had a high index of e-government initiatives. These countries are; Ghana, Mauritius, South Africa and Tunisia. (AUDA, 2022). Tanzania is among the developing countries and has put efforts in e-government services to support on poverty eradication, good governance, social and economic development. The government of the United Republic of Tanzania recognised the significance of ICT and e-government services that could bring changes in the economic sector (Wahid, 2018). The efforts on e-government started in 2010 by establishing an e-Government Agency (e-GA) which coordinated, administered and promoted e-government initiatives (Wahid, 2018; European Union, 2021; United Republic of Tanzania (URT), 2021). Based on this grounds, this paper specifically intends to systematically review the literature on the functional e-government services, its performance and the factors hindering the performance of e-government services in Tanzania from 2015 to February 2022. This paper therefore intends to answer the following questions;

What are the functional e-government services in Tanzania?
What is the level of Tanzania e-government services performance on economic development?
What are the factors hindering Tanzania e-government service performance for economic development?

The Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria were used in the systematic review of the literature on the extant of Tanzania e-government services for economic development. The SALSA framework provided with an ability to minimise the likely factors of subjectivity and is pointed as one of the most appropriate measure which identifies, evaluates and systematizes literature (Amo et al., 2018) and guarantees precision and completeness of the methodology used in systematic review (Grant & Booth, 2009). In addition to this, the PRISMA statement ensures accuracy and completeness of the study at hand (Moher et al., 2009). The PRISMA statement provided a preliminary and evidence based list of organised information for establishing a comprehensive and combined report of meta-analysis and the systematic review (Sam et al., 2020). In light of this, systematic review is obviously an audit of a deliberate inquiry that consumes precisely and unambiguously the strategies to measure and scan data from the collected search studies that comprises the review (Sam et al., 2020). The SALSA framework subsequently led the reviewer to the PRISMA criteria. The framework for the systematic literature search and review in this study is presented in Table 1.

Table 1

SALSA framework for systematic literature search and review
Stage	Description
Search	Key actions:Keywords identification; search datasources Study scope:Limited to studies related to e-government services foreconomic development in Tanzania. The limitation on the selected studies provide major insights in order to appraise and synthesize the phenomenon underpinning the study
Appraisal	Key actions:Studies selection through the PRISMA approach
Synthesis	Key actions:Data extraction and categorical organisation
Analysis	Key actions:Data analysis, findings comparison and conclusion
Source: (Amo et al., 2018)

A systematic literature search was conducted to four aggregate datasources which included; Google Scholar, ResearchGate, CORE and Refseek as well as backward citation track which provided other search results on the study. A combination of search key terms was employed to obtain the datasources from 2015 – February 2022. These subject search terms were: “e-government services” + “Tanzania” and “e-government services” + “economic development” + “Tanzania”. The resulted searches were evaluated and the PRISMA statement recommendations for selection of the articles were followed. The criteria for inclusion of the articles involved the article keywords being in the title, the article abstract and the article published in a scientific and peer reviewed publisher. The exclusion criteria of the search results were on papers from the conference proceedings, editorial letters, non-English articles and articles which were not primarily research based. One hundred and five (105) articles were found by the combined search and screened to 18 articles that were recommended for the study. Figure 1 presents a flow of information for the search results which are relevant to this study.

2.1 Analysis process

The analysis of the articles included for the study were based on research questions. Content and Microsoft Excel computer application software was used to achieve the analysis. The selected articles were coded to simplify the review process and subject to research questions. Table 2 presents the spreadsheet with valuable and appropriate information about each article.

Table 2

List of articles included in systematic review (n = 18)
Code	Author	Title	Database	Year
E1	Abdallah, J.B.	Factors influencing the implementation of e- government initiatives in Tanzania: A case of the Presidents’ office regional administration and local government	Google Scholar	2020
E2	Deogratus, D., Maiga, G. & Eilu, E	A framework for enhancing the adoption of e-tax services in Tanzania	Google Scholar	2019
E3	Wahid, H.B.	e-Government for Tanzania: Current projects and challenges	Google Scholar	2018
E4	Said, S.H.	Investigation of usability shortcomings on the user interfaces of web based e-Government systems: A case of Tanzania	Google Scholar	2015
E5	Kagoya, S.M. & Mbamba, U.O.L.	User participation approach to key attributes of e-government implementation in developing countries: A case of Tanzania	Google Scholar	2021
E6	Kisoka, R.E.	Factors affecting the use of e-government services in Tanzania: A case study of the national examinations council of Tanzania	Google Scholar	2020
E7	Lupilya, E.C. & Jung, K.	e-Government transformation in Tanzania: Status, opportunities and challenges	Google Scholar	2015
E8	Mashaka, B., McBride, N. & Wakunuma, K.	Incorporating indigenous perspectives in provision of e-government services: The case of Tanzania	Google Scholar	2019
E9	Sichone, J.	The influence of administrative features and users' attributes on the success of technological aspects for e-government implementation in Tanzania	Google Scholar	2017
E10	Lupilya, E.C.	Exploring factors for e-government innovation and transformation in Tanzania	Google Scholar	2016
E11	Mafwiri, N.R.	Assessment of the challenges of adapting e-government service in Tanzania: A case of Dar es salaam water and sewerage authority	Google Scholar	2020
E12	Kamatula, G.	A framework for e-records in support of e-government implementation in the Tanzania public service	CORE	2018
E13	Masunga, F.J., Mapesa, H.J. & Mwakibete,A.N.	Influence of e-tax system on tax revenue collection in Tanzania large taxpayers: A prior and posterior analysis	CORE	2020
E14	Elisa, N.	Usability, accessibility and web security assessment of e-government websites in Tanzania	Refseek	2017
E15	Gunda, E.J., Kopoka, P.A. & Kihonge, E.	Role of e-government in delivery of public services in Tanzania electric supply company in Ruvuma Region, Tanzania	Refseek	2015
E16	Magayane, A.A., Mokua, J.K. & Lanrong, Y.	Evaluation of the current status of e-government implementation in Tanzania: Government websites perspectives	ResearchGate	2016
E17	Mtebe, J.S. & Kondoro, A.W.	Accessibility and usability of government websites in Tanzania	ResearchGate	2017
E18	Furuholt, B. & Sæbø, Ø.	The role telecentres play in providing e-government services in rural areas: A longitudinal study of Internet access and e‐government services in Tanzania	ResearchGate	2018

Source Authors’ construction (2022)

Table 2 indicates that majority of the publications on the extant of e-government services in Tanzania for economic development have been done in the year 2020 equals to four (4) articles while in 2015, 2017 and 2018 each year equals to three (3) articles. In addition, two (2) articles were each published in 2016 and 2019 whereas one (1) article was published in 2021 but none for 2022. This is to say from 2015–2021 there were publications in the

area and this is quite impressing on the Tanzania e-government services in fostering economic development. It is alarming to find none of the publications are identified in 2022. But this is not the scope of this study to analyze the reasons as to why enough publications are not observed in this time. In terms of the aggregate data sources, Google Scholar has 11 included articles which is far more from other aggregates and this is contributed by its prominence and being the oldest tool launched by Google in 2004 which provide citations over all the indexed world databases mainly in social sciences and humanities (Orduna-Malea, Martín-Martín & López-Cózar, 2017).

3.1 Functional e-government services in Tanzania

The advent in ICT influenced the United Republic of Tanzania in providing electronic based services and information in a timely, accurately and pertinent methods (Wahid, 2018). Today, Tanzania government, ministries, departments, agencies, authorities, institutions, public and private organisation have developed an online systems or platforms and mostly webpages and social networks for networking, communication, sharing information and services within and outside the boundaries (Kagoya & Mbamba, 2021). The government of Tanzania through its ministries, institutions and agencies have to be innovative and abreast of the emerging and changing technologies and the ways electronic services and information are promoted and shared to the public (Masunga, Mapesa & Nyalle, 2020; Kagoya & Mbamba, 2021). The functional e-government services are mainly related to social, economic, cultural, political, business, education, health, agriculture and natural resources just to mention a few. These services are potential in the growth and development of the country’s economy.

On the study by Deogratus, Maiga and Eilu (2019) on a framework for enhancing the adoption of e-tax services in Tanzania indicates that the government of Tanzania has to effectively deploy the information technology to perform and provide e-services including e-tax-mobilization services. The domestic revenue can be efficiently collected through sophisticated manner with a sound framework such as the Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework that assist in saving resources of time and money for the public to physically visit the revenue collection authorities. The prominent e-tax-mobilisation services include; the computerized motor vehicle registration and driver’s license systems, Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) that operates with e-tax collection from various business organisations, institutions and entrepreneurs. The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) platform provides online information and services. There are forms on various issues that can be downloaded and/or filled online which include among others; custom license application, domestic tax payment, Tax Identification Number (TIN), Value Added Tax (VAT) application and registration forms (Kamatula, 2018; Deogratus, Maiga & Eilu, 2019).

Furthermore, Wahid (2018) on the study of e-government for Tanzania focusing on current projects and challenges, identified the functional e-government services platforms which are not limited to among others; the government ministries, departments, agencies and institutions websites and social networks embedded with. The platforms have contributed in boosting the economic development through effective interactions and transactions within, between government units and the public or citizens and beyond (Gunda, Kopoka & Kihonge, 2015). Various functional systems are successfully deployed and broadened online services for efficiency, effectiveness and reliability towards achieving the national economic development and the business processes. For example, the financial system (Integrated Financial Management System - IFMS) has been integrated with other functional systems to improve the online services and e-governance. The other functional e-government systems are; the government web portals, Human Capital Management Information System (HCMIS), Land Management System (LMS), Health Information System (eHealth), Geographical Information System (GIS) and the National Payment System (NPS) which integrates the Tanzania Interbank Settlement System (TISS), Electronic Clearing House (ECH) and Retail Payment System (RPS) (Mtebe & Kondoro, 2017; Wahid, 2018).

3.2 Levels of Tanzania e-government services performance

The levels of implementation and performance of e-government service depends on the extent to which the public is

aware of the e-government services, the quality of e-government service infrastructures and the government support in successful implementation of e-government (Kagoya & Mbamba, 2021). The implementation of e-government services is benchmarked on the four Gartner’s stage model (Noman & Hebbar, 2016). The stages are; presence where information are loaded on the government platform, interaction stage where the public virtually communicates with the government. At this level, the citizens can be able to seek or ask the government unit and/or download various forms related to the individual enquiry. Other stages include; transaction level which provides room for the citizens to settle various financial services such as, renewing license, procurement and paying taxes online. The fourth level of e-government implementation and performance is the transformation stage where the government renovates its working style and infrastructures for efficiency and personalisation (Magayane, Mokua & Lanrong, 2016).

Most of the e-government platforms have successfully achieved the fourth level of e-government implementation and performance and drastically moved on towards improving its services. This is evidenced from the improved communication services that contributed to the increase of government revenue collection through the Government e-Payment Gateway (GePG). Similarly, the number of fixed and mobile subscribers have increased from 21.2 million in 2010 to 48.9 million in 2020 and that contributed to social and national income generation. In addition, the number of Internet users has increased from 5 million in 2010 to 26.8 million in March 2020. This trend is attributed by the investment in the Optic Fiber Cable (OFC) backbone which connects regions and districts across the country. On a different note, Tanzania’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita raised from $1,020 in 2018 to $1,080 in 2019, which exceeds the 2019 threshold of $1,036 for lower-middle income status that classified the country as a lower-middle income country (United Republic of Tanzania (URT), 2021). However, this endeavor of e-government implementation and performance is rarely visualized in local communities as compared to urban communities.

3.3 Factors deterring Tanzania e-government services performance

The proliferation and performance of the e-government service has to have balanced attributes for control and maintenance of the platform. Issues related to technology, partnerships, human capital capabilities, financial resources and commitment are potential for the sustainability of the e-government services. Table 3 summarizes the factors that influence Tanzania e-government services performance from various screened resources underpinning the study.

Table 3

Factors influencing Tanzania e-government services performance
Article Code	Factors	Count	Percent
E1; E11; E7	Lack of hardware and software infrastructures	3	16.7
	IT policies and standards
	IT security, privacy and confidentiality guarantee
	Inefficient integrated communication system
	Resistance to change
	Limited technical support services
E6	Awareness to e-government services	1	5.6
	Insufficient IT experts
	IT infrastructures’ obsolescence
	Insufficient financial resources for sustainability
E4; E2	Low usage and participation of citizens in e-government services	2	11.1
E8	Lack of skills among government officials on e-government	1	5.6
	Lack of available key e-government services in local communities
E9	Digital divide	1	5.6
E14; E17; E16	Errors on websites’ accessibility	3	16.7
	Poor accessibility and usability of the e-government services
	Presence of inactive links
	Time consuming in loading the page
	Usability gaps and particularly to citizens people with disabilities
E5	Language barrier on e-government services platform	1	5.6
	Preference on paper based government services
E3	Insufficient Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)	1	5.6
		13	72.2

Source Authors’ own construction 2022

The aim of this study was to undertake a comprehensive assessment of previous research studies on Tanzania e-government services performance for economic development. This is an essential evaluation that is carried out to discover how practitioners and researchers dealt with the issue of e-government services in this country. Various literatures on Tanzania e-government services were reviewed and classified into three major themes; the functional e-government services, level of e- government services performance and the factors hindering the e-government service performance in Tanzania. It can be concluded that, the research into e-government services performance in Tanzania is on diminishing end, as very few researchers are investigating issues in this area. The fact that, studies on e-government services in Tanzania is diminishing, signifies that either the relevance of e-government services as important tool for promoting the nation economic development is diminishing or researchers’ interest on this area is going down.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding Agency

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Funding for this research was covered by the author(s) of the article.

Acknowledgment

We are grateful for the time and effort the reviewers put into reviewing the manuscript. We sincerely appreciate all valuable comments and suggestions that helped to improve the quality of the manuscript.

ORCID iD Kardo Joseph Mwilongo - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6442 -2056

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A Systematic Review on the Extant of Tanzania e-Government Services for Economic Development

Status:

Version 1

Abstract

Figures

1 Introduction

2 Methodology

2.1 Analysis process

3 Results And Discussion

3.1 Functional e-government services in Tanzania

3.2 Levels of Tanzania e-government services performance

3.3 Factors deterring Tanzania e-government services performance

4 Conclusion

Declarations

References

Status:

Version 1