Digital Transformation: Our Way Out of Bureaucracy and Corruption

Eltayeb Elgaali Eltayeb
Digital Transformation & Institutional Development Consultant

Who among us hasn’t stood in a long queue waiting for a signature or an official stamp?
Who hasn’t heard the phrase “Come back tomorrow” or felt that some services are only available to those with connections?

These aren’t isolated incidents — they are symptoms of three chronic problems:
Bureaucracy, corruption, and favoritism, often accompanied by low staff efficiency.

But there is a real solution that has proven effective globally and gained traction regionally:
Yes, it’s digital transformation.

In my opinion, digital transformation is not just about devices, apps, or networks. It’s a deep institutional reform — a redefinition of the relationship between the citizen and the state… between ideas and execution… between responsibility and accountability.

*From Bureaucratic Mazes to Seamless Services*

In the past, getting a government service meant visiting 5 offices and waiting for days.
Today, a single digital system can simplify all of this into just a few clear steps — all through one unified platform.

This is not a fantasy.
According to a World Bank survey (2022), 68% of citizens in digitally transformed countries reported that public services became over 50% faster.

I firmly believe that any digital transformation must begin by re-engineering outdated processes, not just buying new hardware or building data centers. Because simplifying workflows and eliminating unnecessary steps is what truly drives change.

*From Employee-Centered to Citizen-Centered Services*

The core of digital transformation isn’t the technology itself — it’s the philosophy behind the design.

Public services are no longer designed around the convenience of the employee — but around the real needs of the end user.

Successful digital platforms today are the result of listening to users, understanding their pain points, and putting their experience at the center of service design.

*Digital Identity: The New National Passport*

Citizens no longer need to carry stacks of paperwork or wait in endless queues.

Digital identity has become the golden key to streamlined, remote access to services in education, health, licensing, taxation, and more — all secured through a unified platform.

In my view, the real challenge isn’t just launching digital ID — but integrating all services behind it so the citizen’s experience is truly digital, not just labeled as such.

*When Corruption and Favoritism Lose Their Cover*

In the old systems, paperwork could be lost, delayed, or deliberately buried.
But in a digital era, every step is timestamped, traceable, and transparent.

Who submitted the request? Who approved it? Who caused the delay?
Everything is recorded.

According to Transparency International, countries that digitize government services see corruption-related complaints drop by up to 73%.

*Goodbye Favouritism, Hello Procedural Justice*

Digital systems don’t recognize faces or names.
They don’t care if you’re a VIP or an ordinary citizen. They operate based on data and procedures, not relationships.

I believe that once services move from the “back office” to the “digital platforms” fairness becomes automatic — and no one can claim privilege over another.

*From Routine Employees to Innovative Problem-Solvers*

Some may think digital transformation threatens jobs — but the opposite is true.

Global case studies have proven that digitization frees employees from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on analysis, creativity, and real human engagement.

Meanwhile, digital platforms provide accurate, data-driven performance metrics, encouraging transparency and enabling skill development.

*From Gut Feelings to Data-Driven Decisions*

One of the greatest benefits of digital transformation is the comprehensive visibility it offers to decision-makers.

Dashboards now display transaction volumes, processing times, and user satisfaction in real-time.

This turns leadership from a reactive, crisis-driven model into a proactive, insight-led strategy.

*Inspiring Examples from the Gulf and Africa*

In the Gulf, digital transformation has become a national vision.

In Saudi Arabia, for example, citizens can access over 300 services through the Tawakkalna app — often within minutes, without human intervention.
The government aims for 100% paperless transactions by 2030.

In Africa, Rwanda stands as a beacon of success.
A country that rose from difficult times, Rwanda chose digitization as its engine for rebuilding.
Today, Kigali is one of the most digital capitals in Africa.

In Egypt, the “Digital Egypt” initiative has unified over 100 government services into one platform — reducing wait times by 60%, according to the Ministry of Communications.

*Final Thoughts*

Digital transformation is no longer optional or a luxury — it is a national necessity.

It is the bridge between citizen and justice, state and efficiency, employee and innovation.

In my opinion, we can’t fight corruption with speeches or eliminate queues with complaints.

But we can build a transparent system that doesn’t need favoritism — because it simply leaves no room for it.