Conclusions
African local authorities are faced with a huge opportunity to effect change, both for themselves, and for the citizens they serve. Those who are able to innovate, work in multidisciplinary ways and rethink services by putting citizens at the heart of design, implementation, and monitoring, will be at a major advantage in terms of relevant services truly designed for their users or beneficiaries.
Such services and solutions need to bear in mind the challenges associated with a digital transformation: from transparency, to data ownership, to how we ensure access for all and avoid widening existing inequalities. As a key provider of public services, the local authority has a huge role to play in developing equitable and efficient digital systems that help mitigate some of these crucial challenges. Local authorities first need to develop their institutional capacity and embrace a vision of a smart city that has these potential pitfalls at its heart.
“The ASToN network is looking to encourage, facilitate and accelerate a positive path for the digital transformation of cities. The fundamental driver of any technological transition should be creating dividends for citizens and not creating more divides. It is imperative to make sure no-one is left behind and to continually assess: who will be affected, and in what way?”
By prioritising how local authorities can develop digital, participatory, and innovative skillsets and mindsets, ASToN can support how they become able to decide the best course of action with regards to developing their own version of a smart city. The sheer diversity of the ASToN network and the challenges the local authorities hope to explore as part of the programme is a source of strength for harnessing the potential of digital to bring positive change to citizens. With suitable institutional capacity and political will, African local authorities will be able to progressively, sensitively and thoughtfully tackle some of the biggest challenges associated with service provision through digital transformation.
