The Syrian government's ambitious digital transformation project faces significant challenges, primarily due to the high cost of living and deteriorating infrastructure. Since January, the Electronic Citizen Service Center has experienced repeated failures in its electronic payment system, impacting over 65 services that were supposed to facilitate government transactions. Experts attribute these failures to poor internet connectivity, frequent power outages, and a lack of integrated banking services, which have left citizens frustrated and unable to meet their financial obligations to government agencies.
Citizens like Muhammad, Mounir, and Wael have expressed their dissatisfaction with the unreliable electronic payment services, which have forced them to revert to traditional methods for essential tasks such as housing payments and passport applications. The government's push for mandatory electronic payment has been met with widespread criticism, highlighting the inadequacies of the existing financial and communication infrastructure.
Despite a strategic plan initiated in 2021 aimed at enhancing electronic government services and improving overall efficiency, the implementation has lagged significantly. The Syrian economy continues to struggle, with estimates suggesting cumulative losses could reach up to $1.4 trillion by 2035. Economists argue that the digital payment system primarily serves the government's needs rather than addressing the everyday financial challenges faced by citizens, further complicating the transition to a digital society. With the current state of the economy, many citizens are reluctant to engage with electronic payment systems, fearing additional costs and complications.
The lack of essential foundations for a successful digital environment, such as infrastructure and digital skills, has hindered progress. Experts emphasize that without significant investments and improvements in governance, the aspirations for a fully digital government service in Syria remain unattainable.
- The digital transformation strategy adopted by the Syrian government includes three main axes: enhancing electronic government services, improving government performance, and creating an enabling environment for digital transformation. However, the first phase, which focuses on building the necessary infrastructure, has not yet been completed as scheduled.
- The electronic payment system is seen as a crucial component of this strategy, but it has faced widespread criticism due to its inability to meet the needs of the citizens. The lack of political stability, security, and trust in government institutions further complicates the situation, making it difficult for the government to implement such a transformative project effectively.
