Mobi4D: A next generation service delivery platform for mobile government services: An African perspective

The proliferation of mobile devices now ubiquitous to virtually everyone in Africa has made it absolutely easy to get across to every user. Innovative ideas have quickly developed around mobile devices as well as technology surrounding it and while the earliest uses were born out of necessity, the current technology is harnessing the power of mobile devices to support and propel citizen engagement in democracy. With its Mobi4D platform project, the CSIR is pioneering the utilization of mobile devices to fully implement mobile government application with the aim of significantly improving the quality of service delivered to the citizens of South Africa. In this paper, we report the current development around the Mobi4D platform and discuss from the view point of opportunities it presents for mobile government. Demos of some of the pilot services being developed on Mobi4D are also presented showing how such platform can help address challenges faced in the government sector.