By OBAKENG MAJE
8 April 2026 – The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) said it has implemented the Provincial Digital Transformation Strategy. The NWPG said this strategy is not merely a technology programme, it is a central pillar of its broader agenda to build a capable, ethical and developmental state, supported by modern systems, efficient processes, and strengthened accountability.
The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said it is about fundamentally transforming the way government works both internally and in how it serves citizens, businesses, and institutions across the province. Mokgosi said they welcome leadership from Microsoft South Africa and Boxfusion, who have supported the province in delivering key components of this digital transformation journey.
“We look forward to working closely with you in advancing digital transformation, innovation, enterprise development and inclusive economic participation within the North West.
“During the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in February 2026, we made a clear and deliberate commitment to the people of this province that we would modernise government systems, strengthen administrative capability, and transition towards a digitally enabled provincial administration,” he said.
Mokgosi further indicated that from 1 April 2026, key systems would transition into operation. He added that today, they can confirm that this commitment has been delivered.
“The systems that were announced are now live and operational and we have now entered the next critical phase, the adoption, onboarding and institutionalization phase, which will ensure that these systems are embedded into the daily functioning of government.
“At the centre of this transformation is the SmartGov platform, which now lives across the North West Provincial Government as a centralised digital service led by the Office of the Premier.
SmartGov represents a fundamental shift from fragmented, manual and paper-based processes towards a standardized, integrated and automated administrative environment across all departments,” said Mokgosi.
He said during the month of April, all departments are undergoing a structured onboarding programme, which includes a comprehensive training of officials across CFO environments and operational units as well as alignment and configuration of departmental processes within the platform. Mokgosi said this includes a managed transition from manual workflows to digital processes.
“This phased and structured approach ensures that the transition is controlled, supported and sustainable, without disrupting provision of services.
“As departments complete onboarding, they will progressively transition into full utilisation of the platform, and manual processes will be systematically discontinued,” he said.
Mokgosi said the SmartGov platform will automate key administrative and procurement processes, which among others include, e-submissions, quotation and procurement workflows, internal approval processes, invoice tracking and payment visibility as well as contract management and compliance monitoring. He said the implementation of SmartGov will result in improved efficiency and standardisation across government processes, enhanced transparency in procurement and financial management, reduced delays and faster turnaround times, accountability and auditability of transactions and a more accessible and predictable system for businesses.
“For businesses particularly small, medium and emerging enterprises this represents a significant step towards creating a fair, transparent and equitable environment for participation in government opportunities.
“This is not just a system going live, it is a transition towards a new way of working in government. In parallel to administrative automation, we have also operationalised the Monitoring and Evaluation capability within the Office of the Premier, implemented through the SmartGov platform,” said Mokgosi.
He said this capability will enable the province to progressively integrate reporting across to all twelve provincial departments, six state owned entities and all twelve municipalities. Mokgosi said through this system, the Office of the Premier will increasingly have access to real-time performance data through interactive dashboards, covering strategic programmes and service delivery initiatives across the province.
“This will enable continuous monitoring of strategic projects, strengthened oversight across all spheres within the province, early identification of risks and underperformance data-driven decision-making as well as improved coordination of interventions where required.
“This marks a fundamental shift from traditional reporting to real-time, integrated and proactive governance.
Programme Director, this transformation is built on a fundamental shift in the province’s digital foundation, a decisive move away from outdated legacy systems towards a modern, secure and future-ready digital environment,” he said.
Mokgosi said they have successfully migrated from the legacy GroupWise platform to Microsoft 365, ushering in a new era of a connected, collaborative and mobile digital workplace. He said their public servants are now equipped with tools that enable them to work more efficiently and respond more effectively to the needs of our people.
“In parallel, we have transitioned our infrastructure to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, positioning the province on a scalable, resilient and high-performance digital backbone capable of supporting both current demands and future growth.
“At the same time, we have strengthened our cybersecurity posture through the deployment of advanced endpoint security capabilities, ensuring that government systems, data and digital services are protected against evolving cyber threats,” said Mokgosi.
He said together, these initiatives mark a clear departure from legacy constraints and establish a secure, modern and future-ready digital government environment for the North West. Mokgosi said they are no longer operating on legacy systems, they are now operating on a modern digital foundation built for the future.
“Of critical importance is to emphasize that all these initiatives have been implemented through State Information Technology Agency (SITA) framework agreements, ensuring full compliance with national ICT governance, procurement and regulatory frameworks.
“Beyond systems and infrastructure, this transformation is also about people, skills development and economic opportunity. Through our partnership with Microsoft, the province will unlock structured training programmes for government employees, enterprise development opportunities for local ICT businesses and SMMEs, digital skills development programmes for young people across the province,” he said.
Mokgosi said these initiatives will be delivered through Microsoft’s Corporate Social Investment and partner development programmes and will be provided at no cost to the province. He said this ensures that their digital transformation agenda contributes directly to economic inclusion, innovation and participation in the digital economy.
“As we consolidate these digital capabilities within government, the next phase of this transformation will focus on the expansion of broadband infrastructure across the province that has been concluded and will soon be rolled out.
“This is a critical component of our broader vision to build a Smart Province, where digital services, connectivity and innovation are accessible to all,” said Mokgosi.
He said the province will be implementing a provincial broadband programme, which will provide a unified and integrated connectivity network across different spheres of government and public institutions such as schools, healthcare facilities and Thusong Centres. Mokgosi said through this, they are extending digital transformation beyond government systems and into communities, households and businesses across the province.
“If systems are the engine of digital government, then broadband is the network that connects our people to that engine. What we are announcing today is not simply the rollout of systems. We are announcing the establishment of a North West Digital Government Platform, as a foundational step towards building a Smart Province and a digitally enabled economy,”
“An ecosystem that integrates infrastructure, systems, data, connectivity and security into a single, coherent environment. This platform enables a government that will be efficient in its operations, accountable in its delivery and responsive to the needs of our people,” he said.
Mokgosi said in conclusion, he would like to acknowledge the leadership of the Office of the Premier, particularly the Office of the GITO, as well as our partners Microsoft and Boxfusion, for their contribution to this milestone. He said the North West Provincial Government is not only envisioning a digital future, they are actively building it, they are implementing it and they are delivering it.
“We are building a government that works smarter, that moves faster, and that serves its people better. And in doing so, we are laying the foundation for a Smart Province, a province that is connected, that is inclusive, and ready for the digital economy,” said Mokgosi.
Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and Microsoft SA delegates/Facebook
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