GovTech 2025 is the 16^th edition of South Africa’s world-class platform for private and public sector ICT industry, other industries’ ICT stakeholders, relevant governance and citizens stakeholder engagements. The vision has been revised to being ”An ICT thought leadership platform driving collaboration, innovation, and solutions for a digitally transformed, citizen-centric government”.  The revised vision focuses on:

• Policy advocacy
• Innovation scale-up from GovTech showcases
• Skills development for all relevant stakeholders
• Inclusive platform building with youth and SMMEs

This year the  conference seeks to focus  not only on hosting a great event as we always do without outcomes. The conference therefore seeks to ensure pivoting from GovTech the event to GovTech the programme, making the conference a strategic resource for SITA and the public service. The focus of the conference will also be on delivering tangible outcomes and not just having discussions about various topics. Most importantly GovTech seeks to be positioned as a “year-round enabler and convener”

• The theme for GovTech 2025 is “ One Data, One Citizen, One Citizen Service Journey – Digital Transformation.” This places the spotlight on the importance of data driven service delivery changing how citizens should experience government as a single, coherent entity rather than a collection of disconnected departments. The need for the development of standards which enable service delivery and ensure interoperability and integration of systems must be prioritized to ensure the end-to-end citizen experience across all touchpoints. This will further require highlighting a radical shift from fragmented siloed systems to integrated citizen-centric systems which enable effective and efficient service delivery. One data signifies one data set for every citizen Data should flow seamlessly across departments, with common definitions, formats, and exchange protocols. Platforms should be designed for integration from the bottom up. The theme  reflects a bold commitment to engaging around building an integrated digital government, the importance of unlocking interoperability at scale, designing service systems from the citizen’s point of view and driving seamless, ethical and inclusive digital public service.
• Artificial intelligence and automation if strategically deployed can transform service delivery introducing efficiency and innovation thus reducing administrative burdens for public servants and improving citizens’ experience of government service delivery.

The theme further places the spotlight on how digital transformation is also changing  how citizens are enabled to have more access to services thus improving inclusiveness. The opportunities provided by access to technology, tools and services which are brought about by access to the internet are enormous. This rampant access is buoyed by the advancements of the smart telephony, making access more prevalent and therefore ensuring that no one is or should in essence be left behind.

In this era where digital transformation is more and more becoming the order of the day in all walks of lives, including work, economic activities and access to government; more and more technological advancements are happening. These are brought about by fast paced innovations and AI advancements.  GovTech is not the solution in itself – it is the spark that confronts these pressing public sector challenges and enables meaningful and measurable transformation.

Join us as we challenge ourselves as GovTech stakeholders to make it matter to all stakeholders and bring about tangible outcomes. Join us as we build together and be part of this critical change agenda!