MATSAPHA – African governments have been urged to accelerate digital transformation, strengthen partnerships, and improve agility in public service to better meet citizens’ needs, according to Dr John Nakabago, President of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM).
Speaking at the opening of the 44th AAPAM Roundtable Conference in Matsapha, Dr Nakabago said the conference theme, “Agile Public Administration, Partnership and Digital Transformation for Citizen-Centric Service Delivery,” reflects the urgency for public institutions to adapt to evolving demands. He described agility as the ability of systems to respond quickly to change, partnerships as key for collaboration across government, civil society, and the private sector, and digital transformation as essential for transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.
Reflecting on AAPAM’s 44-year history, Dr Nakabago called the organisation a continental pillar for advancing excellence in public administration. He cited initiatives such as the Strong Nations for Africa Fellowship funded by Singapore’s Chandler Institute, the annual AAPAM Research Forum in South Africa, the Leadership Seminar hosted by the Kenya School of Government, and the Roundtable Conferences as vehicles for knowledge sharing and institutional development.
The conference will also feature two flagship awards: the AAPAM Innovative Management Awards, which recognise institutions introducing creative, locally driven solutions to improve service delivery, and the AAPAM Gold Medal Award, the organisation’s highest honour for outstanding leadership in public administration.
Delegations from more than 30 countries, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, the United States, and Zimbabwe, are attending. Participants include ministers, cabinet secretaries, heads of civil service, senior government executives, mayors, permanent and principal secretaries, as well as representatives from civil society, development partners, international agencies, and the private sector.
Dr Nakabago acknowledged Uganda for hosting the 43rd Roundtable Conference and Kenya for hosting the AAPAM Secretariat. He urged governments to prioritise timely payment of annual subventions, noting these contributions are vital for AAPAM to carry out its mandate effectively.
Discussion about this post