NGURARE CALLS FOR ETHICAL, DIGITAL AND INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE TRANSFORMATION
Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has called for urgent transformation of Africa’s public service systems, urging stronger ethical leadership, digital innovation and inclusive governance to drive sustainable development across the continent.
Speaking at the African Management Development Institutes’ Network (AMDIN) conference held under the theme “Transformative Public Service Leadership for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth in Africa”, hosted by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM), Dr Ngurare said African governments are operating in an era of rising complexity shaped by technological disruption, climate pressures, demographic change and increasing citizen expectations.
Serving as a key forum for strengthening collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building in the field of public administration and governance, AMDIN is a continental platform that brings together public service training and management development institutions from across Africa. AMDIN promotes professionalisation of the public service, supports leadership development and encourages innovation in public sector reforms while playing an important role in advancing effective, ethical and people-centred governance systems that are responsive to the needs of African citizens.
The prime minister stressed that governance rooted in transparency, accountability and ethics remains the foundation of an effective public service, warning that without these principles, neither policy innovation nor technology would deliver meaningful development outcomes.
- Namibian Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM)
Embracing digital transformation responsibly
Dr Ngurare noted that digitalisation and artificial intelligence are now essential tools for modern governance and no longer just optional enhancements, but he cautioned that human intelligence must remain central in decision-making. The growing shift towards digital transformation is reshaping how institutions operate, communicate and deliver services. However, experts caution that this transition must be managed responsibly, with strong safeguards around data protection, cybersecurity and ethical use of technology.
Embracing digital tools while ensuring inclusivity, accountability and user protection remains key to building trust and achieving sustainable progress in the digital era. While acknowledging AI’s potential in improving efficiency, fraud detection and service delivery, Dr Ngurare said Africa must ensure that its cultural context and indigenous knowledge systems inform technological development. He further called for investment in digital infrastructure and inclusion, warning that rural communities, youth, women and vulnerable groups must not be left behind in the digital transition.
Youth and inclusion central to Africa’s future
Youth empowerment and social inclusion continue to be central pillars in shaping Africa’s future development agenda. With more than half of Africa’s population under the age of 25, policymakers are increasingly emphasising the need to create opportunities that ensure young people are not only participants in development but active drivers of change.
“Young people bring creativity, energy and technological fluency, which are essential for public sector renewal. We must therefore create structured pathways for youth participation in leadership and policy formulation,” said Dr Ngurare.
However, he warned that poor policy decisions risk undermining their future, urging governments to create structured pathways for youth participation in leadership and governance. Dr Ngurare said Africa’s challenges require coordinated regional responses, calling for stronger partnerships between governments, academia, civil society and the private sector.
Closing the three-day conference, AMDIN President Tombola Muke noted that it is time to accelerate the economic and social transformation of African countries to realise the dream enshrined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for a prosperous and integrated Africa. The third annual AMDIN conference will take place in Morocco between May and June 2027.
