Deploying e‐government programs: the strategic importance of “I” before “E”

Many developing countries are in the initial phases of adopting electronic government (e‐government) programs to improve public services and deliver them as efficiently and conveniently as possible. Our experience with a variety of governments throughout the developing world at different stages of implementing e‐government programs with citizens (G2C), businesses (G2B), and other entities of government (G2G) suggests that a major reason behind the success or failure of e‐government projects is the extent to which, first, the governments address technological infrastructure encouraged by appropriate telecommunications policies; and second, the legal and regulatory instruments required for e‐government. Information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure (the “I”) development is at the heart of successful deployment and sustainability of e‐government programs.