TZ earns top global GovTech ranking in WB Index

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has continued to shine internationally after being ranked among countries with the highest level of digital maturity in the public sector by the World Bank, underscoring the success of ongoing government-led digital reforms.

According to the World Bank’s 2025 GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI) report, Tanzania has been placed in Group A – Extensive GovTech Maturity, a category reserved for countries leading globally in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to improve government service delivery and citizen engagement.

The GTMI assesses the maturity of government technology systems across nearly all countries worldwide, examining policies, laws, regulations, systems and their implementation.

The 2025 report was released recently This marks the second time Tanzania has received high-level recognition from the World Bank for GovTech maturity.

In the 2022 assessment, which covered 198 countries, Tanzania recorded one of the world’s most notable improvements, climbing from position 90 in 2021 to 26 in 2022 and moving from Group B to Group A.

At the time, Tanzania ranked second in Africa after Mauritius and emerged as the leading country in East Africa.

The latest ranking consolidates Tanzania’s growing international and regional profile in digital governance.

The country continues to demonstrate consistent progress in leveraging technology to enhance public sector efficiency, transparency and accountability.

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In Africa, Tanzania is among only five countries classified in the highest GovTech maturity group, alongside Kenya, Egypt, Uganda and Rwanda, reinforcing its status as a continental leader in digital government transformation.

The 2025 GTMI report evaluates countries across four core GovTech dimensions: core government systems, online public service delivery, digital citizen engagement and GovTech enablers.

The WB report highlights that Tanzania’s strong performance is largely driven by the robustness and effective use of core government systems.

These include the Human Capital Information Management System (HCIMS), the Ajira Portal for employment services and platforms that enable interoperability and data sharing across public institutions.

The Government Enterprise Service Bus (GovESB) is cited as a critical backbone, enabling secure and efficient exchange of information among government institutions.

The system has helped reduce duplication, accelerate service delivery and strengthen accountability.

In the area of digital citizen engagement, Tanzania is recognised for implementing practical platforms that allow citizens to actively participate in governance.

The e-Mrejesho system has become a key tool enabling citizens to submit feedback, complaints, suggestions and compliments, while also receiving timely responses from government institutions.

The system has contributed to improved transparency, accountability and public trust in government services.

The report also credits the country’s progress to a supportive framework of policies, laws, regulations, standards and guidelines governing e-government and ICT projects.

These GovTech enablers have allowed the government to invest in and manage ICT initiatives under a unified national vision.

Online public service delivery continues to expand through key national platforms, including the Government e-Payment Gateway (GePG), the National e-Procurement System (NeST) and local government systems such as TAUSI.

These platforms have increased access to services, reduced costs and improved efficiency for citizens and businesses.

Commenting on the ranking, e-Government Authority (e-GA) Director General, Engineer Benedict Ndomba, said the achievement reflects Tanzania’s correct strategic direction in building a digital government.

He said the World Bank conducted the assessment over nearly one year, collecting extensive evidence on the use of ICT in government across countries through an evidencebased GovTech Maturity Index survey.

Eng Ndomba emphasised that the presence of integrated government ICT systems demonstrates sound management of public ICT resources and urged public institutions to continue complying with e-government laws, regulations, standards and guidelines.

He also encouraged wider use of citizen engagement platforms and deeper integration of institutional systems with GovESB.

The World Bank recognition positions Tanzania as a model for digital transformation in Africa, laying a strong foundation for improved public service delivery, enhanced transparency and the growth of a resilient digital economy in support of sustainable national development.