Introduction E-government can be defined as the transformation of public-sector internal and external relationships through use of information and

communication technology (ICT). E-government form the poor means that an e-government strategy and related policies must be aimed at bridging the digital divide, the uneven distribution and use of ICT between the poor and the rich. Egovernment is a tool to achieve better governance and enhance economic development. Adoption of e-government in Tanzania The adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) and related practices in the commercial sectors, such as e-commerce, and the diffusion of the internet among the general population have resulted in a rising level of comfort and familiarity with the technologies in many contexts (e.g. communicating with people, electronic marketing, and academic activities). This has increased the expectations of citizens that public sector organizations will provide services similar to those in the commercial sector with the same effectiveness and efficiency. An e-government strategy is a fundamental element in modernizing the public sector, through identifying and developing organizational structure, the ways of interactions with citizens and business, and reducing cost and layers of organizational business processes. It provides a wide variety of information to citizens and businesses through internet. However, the role of egovernment is not only to provide information and services to citizens, which could be provided by commercial firms. E-government can develop the strategic connections between public sector organizations and their departments, and make a communication between government levels (e.g. central, city, and local). This connection and communication improve the cooperation between them through facilitating the provision and implementation of the government strategies, transactions, and policies, and also better use and running of government processes, information, and resources. Governments can also transfer funds electronically to other governmental agencies or provide information to public employees through an intranet or internet.

Stages of e government implementation The implementation of e-government involved many stages. Each stage reaches a different level of service coverage, service delivery, and geographic coverage. The stages are: Stage 1: Government information delivery (Emerging) In this stage it involves posting static information through government website. Significance of this stage is a key for e government initiative, which describes primary services and transactions provided by government organizations, as well as declares instructions and procedures of government operations. Characteristics of this stage

Creating government website which makes government general information and services available online

Introducing Internet and intranet to organization Providing information about government organizations, such as organization outline, hours of operation, mailing address, proposed legislation and phone numbers.

Maintaining web pages to update policies and procedures Reducing cost of government expenditure such as stationery and communication Reducing workload on front-office employees Requires no advanced technology tools and additional management support

2| Page

Stage 2: One-way service delivery (growth) At this stage the government is providing higher level of information that communicates public sector organizations to citizens through providing dynamic information, online application forms, and establishing channels with government officials. It provides primary preparation in term of technical for organization and psychological for citizens. Characteristics of this stage Providing service passively, not exchanging information between government and public Facilitating information retrieval from organization databases Increasing use of intranet to facilitates file transfers Incorporating ICT tools such as e-mail systems, electronic records management and datatransfer technologies into its websites Introducing search engine to allow key word searching Providing citizen interactive conversations through e-mail systems or online forums with constituents or government officials Downloading application forms from government server Viewed as grounding stage for two-way service delivery Stage 3: Two-way service delivery (maturity) At this stage vehicle of complete electronic services from and to citizens, which can deliver entire government transaction electronically while sitting in front of their computer is established. For example, citizens can fill tax returns, pay fines, and apply for vehicle registration. Characteristics of this stage

Facilitating high-level of two-way communication between citizens and government, from initial processes till the payment for service fee

3| Page

Connecting internal government systems to online interfaces Allowing citizens access to organization back-office to complete transaction processing Embedding with advanced ICT tools to extend organization intranet to extranet Reprogramming databases to be linked online into website Maintaining security and confidentiality mechanisms to provide secure transactions Playing strategic role in achieving e-government objectives Stage 4: Government integration

About transformation of government organizations processes and re-engineering internal business processes, as well as integrating public information and services across organizations and departments. Implies public services are accessible through single window, even if provided by different public sector organizations and departments. Characteristics of this stage Providing one-stop government portal Connecting organizations across different levels of departments Interchanging results of transactions from one organization system with another system Using full capabilities of ICT applications to transform how government functions are organized and executed. Integrating shortened gap between front and back office. Implementing applications integration of heterogeneous databases located in different sites Integrating external supply and distribution chains with government Viewed as critical long-term success plan of e-government implementation

4| Page

Since the adoption and implementation of e government is stage wise, Tanzania is almost fall into the second stage which is one way service delivery or growth stage. This is because up to this moment the government tries to insist their citizens about the importance of using e government and it provides service passively, not exchanging information between government and public.

5| Page

Success factors for e-government in Tanzania E-government has the potential to improve efficiency and transparency in the public sector, and promote greater accountability of the government. It is a tool towards better governance which helps to limit corruption, minimize bureaucratic inefficiency, minimize time in processing government services, and brings the citizen, especially the poor, closer to the government processes. However, there are a multitude of challenges in introducing and implementing egovernment. Failure factors of e government in Tanzania A leading challenge is that poor and rural communities lack access to ICT and knowledge of its usage. Before an e-government system can be put in place, government must be reorganized, innovative policies administered, a legal framework for ICT established, and the citizens must be educated and trained. Not only that but also the availability of electricity (power) in all regions and districts of Tanzania bring about the difficultness of the success of e government in Tanzania.

6| Page