Inclusive digital transformation in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa has adopted digital transformation as one of its strategies for promoting inclusive growth. This is a case study of South Africa, a developing country that has embraced the digital transformation agenda to promote the transformation of government, business and society among other things. Using institutional theory as our theoretical lens, we explore the implementation or policy reforms aimed at promoting the digital transformation of South Africa into an inclusive digital society. This study found that challenges associated with the implementation of policy reforms aimed at promoting the transition were as a result of poor coordination, fragmentation and poor cohesion among government departments coordinating the digital transformation agenda. Inclusion and digital access also require a more integrated approach in the coordination and implementation of social and economic policy that extends beyond technology.