African countries fully recognize the benefits that digitization can bring to their economies. They are now committed to seizing these opportunities with determination to maximize the advantages.

Last Friday, July 19th, Colonel Assimi Goïta (photo), President of the Malian Transition, launched the first phase of a program that allows citizens to pay for certain services using their mobile phones.

This initiative, unveiled in President Goïta's speech on June 22nd, 2024, in Sikasso, marks a turning point in Mali's administrative landscape. Initially deployed in the capital city of Bamako, the program will eventually expand to encompass all regions and diplomatic missions. Additionally, the scope of services covered will progressively include taxes and public procurement.

"This initial phase represents a cornerstone. It will be gradually extended to all regions of Mali and diplomatic representations, while progressively integrating all public services, including taxes and public procurement," indicates a presidential statement.

The mobile payment system aligns with a broader vision for Mali's development and modernization, where technological innovation takes center stage. The program aims to streamline administrative procedures, expedite processing times, and optimize the collection of public revenue. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance citizen trust in public institutions by fostering a more transparent and efficient management system.

Mali has historically lagged behind in digitizing public services. In 2022, the United Nations' E-Government Development Index ranked the country at 178th globally. This new initiative, therefore, represents a critical step towards closing the gap and ushering in a more modern administrative system.

Samira Njoya