How do GovTech contribute to reducing corruption?

Between January 2016 and July 2018, the national and regional press reported 327 acts of corruption in the country, according to Transparency for Colombia. This scourge, beyond affecting public finances, undermines the confidence of the private sector, an essential element for economic growth and employment generation.

However, corruption is not a case that occurs only in Colombia. It is a global phenomenon with serious repercussions for the public and private sectors and citizens. GovTech developed by digital start-ups have emerged as a solution to mitigate this problem by offering greater transparency in public management.

The GovTech universe

GovTech provides solutions for public services (education, health, connectivity, mobility), administrative management (decision making, streamlining processes and procedures), public infrastructure and political participation of citizens.

For example, in nuvu, a Colombian company, we have digital solutions that streamline the management of procedures and services, help with the exploration and exploitation of data to make better decisions and provide the convenience of making records remotely. GovTech encompasses a very broad universe and some of them, through the opening of data, increase citizen control of public management, making it difficult for the corrupt.

What role can GovTech play in institutional transparency?

One of the added values of this industry is that some GovTech contributes to the opening of data or information on government management, strengthening the link between citizens and government. By democratizing access to information, people can monitor and have greater clarity on the work and use of public resources. This has a positive impact on citizens' trust in their institutions.

For example, in Guadalajara, Mexico, a GovTech facilitates the granting of licenses for the development of commercial and construction projects, while residents can check which projects are being developed in their city. This platform, highlighted by CAF and Oxford Insights in the GovTech 2020 Index for Ibero-America, is joined by another one promoted in Argentina. The platform, which focuses on three municipalities in that country, allows citizens to send alerts, complaints and obtain information on projects in their municipality. This is done through a cloud-based service in real time.

Continuing to develop this type of digital solutions in Colombia will be key to boosting investor confidence and building a better social and economic future for the country. Companies like nuvu are already offering this type of tools that improve government management.