Belize, this country located in Central America, known for its rich cultural diversity, lush landscapes, and the stunning Belize Barrier Reef, has only recently shown interest in advancing digital governance to enhance administrative efficiency and public services. Despite that, the digital government of Belize has made noticeable progress in adopting technologies to streamline government processes, even though it’s still behind many other countries of the same income level.
Snapshot of the digital government of Belize achievements internationally
In 2022, Belize made a notable leap, entering the high EGDI group for the first time and securing a ranking of 133 out of 193 countries. This achievement is significant, especially considering Belize’s status as a lower-middle-income country.
Looking at the broader Americas region, the majority of countries (89%) maintained their EGDI groups since 2020. Belize, alongside Peru and Guyana, transitioned from the middle to the high EGDI group. This shift indicates positive strides in Belize’s digital government capabilities, aligning with the regional trend.
However, the digital government Belize faces challenges related to underdeveloped or unevenly developed infrastructure, which can impact the progress of its e-government initiatives.
Despite these constraints, the nation exhibits a middle Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII) and a high Human Capital Index (HCI). This indicates a decent foundation in terms of both technological infrastructure and the skills of its population.
On the downside, the digital government of Belize lags in e-participation, with low EPI levels, earning a rank of 157 out of 193 countries in 2022.
The ongoing redesign of Belize’s national/governmental portal adds a layer of complexity to the assessment, making it challenging to provide a comprehensive analysis. The portal underwent redesigning during the 2021 EGDI assessment, as reported by the EGDI report, and as of now (2024) is “under maintenance”, the last time I checked.
I believe that despite the challenges, Belize’s move to the high EGDI group is a promising sign for its ongoing digital development.
The importance of digital partners
Analysing Belize’s digitalisation efforts, I find their collaboration with partners plays a very important role. In particular, the collaboration with APEX, the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, stands out.
The government has made progress in digitising the Court of Appeals, a significant move facilitated by electronic filing and case management systems. These systems enable officers to monitor, analyse, and report on case trends, promoting transparency and accountability within the judicial system.
Moreover, Belize’s partnership with the Chinese government has led to improvements in the entire transport sector through information technology.
The E-Governance and Digitalization Unit have successfully integrated key entities such as the Belize Police Department, Customs and Excise Department, and Magistrates Court into the same system as the Department of Transport. This integration fosters seamless data sharing and enhances coordination in handling accidents and violations.
Partnership with GIGA to transform education through technology
Another significant development is the official partnership forged in 2023 with Giga, a global initiative by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The collaboration aims to connect every school to the Internet and provide young people with access to information, opportunities, and choices.
This initiative aligns seamlessly with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology’s MoECST’s BESPlan 2021-2025 and the ongoing national curriculum reform focusing on competency-based learning and STEAM initiatives.
The timing of this partnership is noteworthy, as it syncs with the MoECST’s emphasis on connectivity, digitalisation, and digital education.
The government’s commitment to leveraging technology for education is further underscored by the alignment of this initiative with the National Digital Agenda of the Ministry of E-Governance. This agenda prioritises the use of technological applications and advancements to bring about transformative changes in people’s lives.
I see this partnership as a crucial step towards enhancing educational opportunities and preparing Belize’s youth for a future that demands digital literacy and skills. The concerted efforts to integrate connectivity and technology into education not only support the national curriculum objectives but also align with broader digital transformation goals set by the government.
Final thoughts
It’s evident that when it comes to the digital government of Belize, there are challenges related to unevenly developed infrastructure, which poses constraints on the development of e-government initiatives.
I think more efforts are needed to establish fully functional governmental platforms that facilitate citizens’ seamless access to various services.
Creating these platforms should be a priority, allowing citizens to engage with government services online efficiently. However, I believe it’s not just about providing the services but also about building trust and encouraging citizen participation in the design and access of these online services.
Sources:
ttps://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/18-Belize
