Mobile Government in African Least Developed Countries (LDCs): Proposed Implementing Framework

Mobile government (M-government) is being used in some developed and developing countries. It facilitates the main stakeholders and government officials to perform their responsibilities with speed and accuracy to enhance the desired transparency and accountability. The major goals of mobile E-government are to enhance accountability and to deliver essential services to general public by government officials at a reduced cost. Many Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are struggling to implement E-government but have access to mobile technologies especially cellular phones in their respective residential areas (rural and urban). The Case study for M-government Proposed Implementing framework is Malawi. Mobile network coverage in most LDCs is above 85% which means M-government is the likely alternative in areas where E-government is failing. It is important for LDCs to leapfrog E-government to M-government using the modern technologies such as mobile/wireless network and mobile devices. The research has proposed M-government Implementing Framework due to absence of a specific LDCs' M-government implementing framework. It is important that LDCs' leadership should ensure to shift to M-government because it does not require massive investments since private sector has already deployed the enabling infrastructures. Many government's operations will simple and accurate. Mobile government enables stakeholders to interact with governments directly. Stakeholders will be comfortable to have their contributions to the management of governments using mobile technologies (applications and devices). LDCs governments should increase their national Information Communication Technology (ICT) budget lines and improve national ICT literacy levels. There are also relevant instruments to regulate use of mobile technologies. Culture is not a hindrance to the acquisition mobile technologies