The role of ICT in enhancing transparency in public funds management in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
ICT includes any communication device namely radio, television, cell phones, computer, and
satellite systems that retrieve, store, manipulate, receive, or transmit information electronically
in digital form. Transparency refers to openness and honesty, and is considered as a pillar of
good governance. ICT is actually applied for the purpose of increasing efficiency, citizen
participation and transparency in government procedures and functions. Using the Capabilities,
Empowerment, and Sustainability (CES) Model, this research investigates how ICT can be used
to enhance transparency in public funds management in the DRC. It investigated processes in
place for public funds collection and allocation; identified the challenges related to the
implementation of ICT for improving transparency in public funds collection and allocation;
and establishes the determinants of ICT for transparency in public funds management. At the
national level, interviews were conducted with government officials from the National Ministry
of Finance and the National Ministry of Budget. At the Provincial level, interviews were
conducted with government officials from the Provincial Ministry of Finance and the Provincial
Ministry of Budget and tax officials from the institutions that are concerned with funds
collection (DGRAD, DGI and DPMER). Findings revealed that there are few mechanisms in
place to ensure transparency in public funds collection and ICT is not used in public funds
collection and allocation. Further, findings revealed that the challenges of using ICT for public
funds collection and allocation are political, socio-economic and technical. In addition, findings
revealed that there are lack of mechanisms to ensure the implementation of ICT in public funds
collection and allocation and the barriers of using ICT in public funds collection and allocation
were presented. Furthermore, findings revealed that there is a lack of formal mechanisms to
inform the community about the taxes and ICT is not used in any process of paying taxes within
the community. The barriers of using ICT in the community were presented and solutions were
provided to ensure the use of ICT for public funds management. This research suggests a
framework for the adoption of ICT to enhance transparency in Public Funds Management in
the DRC.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.