UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
College of Economic and Management Sciences
⋄
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Portfolio)
Semester 1 – 2026
⋄
Module Code: EUP1501
Module Name: Ethical Information and Communication
Technologies for Development Solutions
Assignment No.: Assessment 5 (Portfolio)
Due Date: 29 May 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for EUP1501
at the University of South Africa.
,UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
Academic Integrity Declaration
I understand what academic dishonesty entails and am aware of UNISA’s policies in
this regard.
I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I have used someone
else’s work I have indicated this by using the prescribed style of referencing. Every con-
tribution to, and quotation in, this assignment from the work or works of other people
has been referenced according to this style.
I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of
passing it off as his or her own work.
I did not make use of another student’s work and submitted it as my own.
I have not copied content directly from generative AI, and submitted it as my own
work.
Name: [Student Name]
Student Number: [Student Number]
Module Code: EUP1501
Signature:
Date: [Date]
Page 1 of 13
,UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
Section A: Government 5.0, the SDGs, and ICT for Development
1. Introduction
The relationship between technology and governance has shifted considerably over the past
two decades. Governments across the world are no longer simply digitising paper-based pro-
cesses; they are rethinking how public services are designed and delivered. Three concepts
sit at the centre of this shift: Government 5.0, the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D).
Together, they frame a vision in which digital tools serve not just efficiency goals but wider
human development goals (Idzi and Gomes, 2022). This section defines each concept and ex-
amines how they interact in practice.
1.1 Government 5.0
Government 5.0 is the latest phase in the evolution of public administration. Where earlier
phases focused on basic digitalisation (e-government), Government 5.0 goes further: it posi-
tions government as a human-centred, data-driven institution that uses artificial intelligence
(AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and cloud computing to co-create services with
citizens rather than simply delivering them (Al-Ansi et al., 2024). The model draws on Society
5.0, a Japanese concept that calls for technology to solve social problems while keeping people
at the centre.
In concrete terms, Government 5.0 moves public administration beyond online portals toward
predictive service delivery, real-time citizen engagement, and cross-departmental data sharing.
A traffic department in a smart city, for instance, might use sensor data and AI to re-route
emergency vehicles automatically, without any bureaucratic delay. At the national level, gov-
ernments are using data analytics to identify which communities are most at risk of poverty so
that social grants reach them before a crisis develops.
Key Distinction
Government 1.0 to 5.0 in brief: Government 1.0 was paper-based; 2.0 added elec-
tronic records; 3.0 introduced open data; 4.0 brought automation and e-services; 5.0
integrates AI, IoT, and citizen co-creation to make services proactive and personalised
(Idzi and Gomes, 2022).
Page 2 of 13
,UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
1.2 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by all United Nations member states in
2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They address the most press-
ing global challenges, covering poverty eradication, health, education, gender equality, clean
energy, climate action, and peace, among others (United Nations, 2023). Each goal contains
specific, measurable targets that guide national policy-making and international cooperation.
The SDGs are significant because they frame development as interconnected. Progress on
SDG 4 (Quality Education), for example, feeds directly into SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 5
(Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Governments are expected to report
annually on progress, which creates accountability and encourages evidence-based planning.
1.3 ICT for Development (ICT4D)
ICT4D is a field of research and practice that explores how digital technologies can be used
to address social, economic, and developmental challenges in communities, particularly in the
Global South (Pyram, 2024). The field emerged from development studies and computer sci-
ence in the 1990s and has grown to encompass mobile telephony, digital health platforms, agri-
cultural information systems, e-learning, and mobile banking.
ICT4D is distinct from commercial technology development because it explicitly foregrounds
equity and social impact. The question is not merely whether a technology works but whether
it reaches the people who need it most and whether they can actually use it to improve their
circumstances (Pyram, 2024). A mobile health application in rural Limpopo, for instance, is
only useful if the community has affordable data, a device, and the literacy needed to navigate
it.
2. Body: How Government 5.0, ICT4D, and the SDGs Work Together
2.1 Government 5.0 and Digital Public Services
Digital governance has measurably improved public service delivery in countries that have in-
vested in the necessary infrastructure. Research by Idzi and Gomes (2022) found that gov-
ernment portals offering full availability of state services online are among the most consis-
tent outcomes of Digital Era Governance. In South Africa, the South African Revenue Service
Page 3 of 13
, UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
(SARS) eFiling platform allows taxpayers to submit returns, track refunds, and resolve queries
digitally – reducing queues at physical branches and cutting processing times significantly.
AI and IoT applications push Government 5.0 further. Al-Ansi et al. (2024) found that inte-
grating AI and IoT into e-government services creates opportunities for agencies to streamline
operations and better meet constituent needs. Kenya’s eCitizen platform, for example, brings
together over 5 000 government services, allowing citizens to apply for passports, business reg-
istrations, and court documents from a smartphone. This kind of consolidation reduces corrup-
tion risk and improves transparency.
Implementation Insight
South African Example: The Department of Home Affairs’ ABIS (Automated Bio-
metric Identification System) uses AI to verify identity documents in seconds, reducing
identity fraud and cutting waiting times at service points (Al-Ansi et al., 2024).
2.2 ICT4D Supporting Community Development
In developing communities, ICT4D projects are tackling some of the most stubborn barriers
to progress. Mobile banking through platforms like M-Pesa in Kenya has given millions of un-
banked households access to financial services, enabling them to save, transfer money, and pay
for goods without a formal bank account. In South Africa, platforms like Mama Money allow
migrant workers to send remittances affordably, directly supporting household income in rural
areas.
Digital health is another area where ICT4D is making a measurable difference. Community
health workers in rural areas use tablet-based systems to record patient data, track medication
adherence, and flag cases for referral. This is particularly relevant for TB and HIV manage-
ment in sub-Saharan Africa, where clinic visits are costly and infrequent. Online education
platforms such as Siyavula and Khan Academy (available in South African languages) give
learners access to quality content regardless of whether their school has a library or a qualified
teacher in every subject.
Implementation Insight
Practical Example: During the COVID-19 lockdown, the South African government
zero-rated several educational websites, allowing learners to access digital textbooks
and lessons without consuming mobile data. This is a direct application of ICT4D
Page 4 of 13
College of Economic and Management Sciences
⋄
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Portfolio)
Semester 1 – 2026
⋄
Module Code: EUP1501
Module Name: Ethical Information and Communication
Technologies for Development Solutions
Assignment No.: Assessment 5 (Portfolio)
Due Date: 29 May 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for EUP1501
at the University of South Africa.
,UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
Academic Integrity Declaration
I understand what academic dishonesty entails and am aware of UNISA’s policies in
this regard.
I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I have used someone
else’s work I have indicated this by using the prescribed style of referencing. Every con-
tribution to, and quotation in, this assignment from the work or works of other people
has been referenced according to this style.
I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of
passing it off as his or her own work.
I did not make use of another student’s work and submitted it as my own.
I have not copied content directly from generative AI, and submitted it as my own
work.
Name: [Student Name]
Student Number: [Student Number]
Module Code: EUP1501
Signature:
Date: [Date]
Page 1 of 13
,UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
Section A: Government 5.0, the SDGs, and ICT for Development
1. Introduction
The relationship between technology and governance has shifted considerably over the past
two decades. Governments across the world are no longer simply digitising paper-based pro-
cesses; they are rethinking how public services are designed and delivered. Three concepts
sit at the centre of this shift: Government 5.0, the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D).
Together, they frame a vision in which digital tools serve not just efficiency goals but wider
human development goals (Idzi and Gomes, 2022). This section defines each concept and ex-
amines how they interact in practice.
1.1 Government 5.0
Government 5.0 is the latest phase in the evolution of public administration. Where earlier
phases focused on basic digitalisation (e-government), Government 5.0 goes further: it posi-
tions government as a human-centred, data-driven institution that uses artificial intelligence
(AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and cloud computing to co-create services with
citizens rather than simply delivering them (Al-Ansi et al., 2024). The model draws on Society
5.0, a Japanese concept that calls for technology to solve social problems while keeping people
at the centre.
In concrete terms, Government 5.0 moves public administration beyond online portals toward
predictive service delivery, real-time citizen engagement, and cross-departmental data sharing.
A traffic department in a smart city, for instance, might use sensor data and AI to re-route
emergency vehicles automatically, without any bureaucratic delay. At the national level, gov-
ernments are using data analytics to identify which communities are most at risk of poverty so
that social grants reach them before a crisis develops.
Key Distinction
Government 1.0 to 5.0 in brief: Government 1.0 was paper-based; 2.0 added elec-
tronic records; 3.0 introduced open data; 4.0 brought automation and e-services; 5.0
integrates AI, IoT, and citizen co-creation to make services proactive and personalised
(Idzi and Gomes, 2022).
Page 2 of 13
,UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
1.2 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by all United Nations member states in
2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They address the most press-
ing global challenges, covering poverty eradication, health, education, gender equality, clean
energy, climate action, and peace, among others (United Nations, 2023). Each goal contains
specific, measurable targets that guide national policy-making and international cooperation.
The SDGs are significant because they frame development as interconnected. Progress on
SDG 4 (Quality Education), for example, feeds directly into SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 5
(Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Governments are expected to report
annually on progress, which creates accountability and encourages evidence-based planning.
1.3 ICT for Development (ICT4D)
ICT4D is a field of research and practice that explores how digital technologies can be used
to address social, economic, and developmental challenges in communities, particularly in the
Global South (Pyram, 2024). The field emerged from development studies and computer sci-
ence in the 1990s and has grown to encompass mobile telephony, digital health platforms, agri-
cultural information systems, e-learning, and mobile banking.
ICT4D is distinct from commercial technology development because it explicitly foregrounds
equity and social impact. The question is not merely whether a technology works but whether
it reaches the people who need it most and whether they can actually use it to improve their
circumstances (Pyram, 2024). A mobile health application in rural Limpopo, for instance, is
only useful if the community has affordable data, a device, and the literacy needed to navigate
it.
2. Body: How Government 5.0, ICT4D, and the SDGs Work Together
2.1 Government 5.0 and Digital Public Services
Digital governance has measurably improved public service delivery in countries that have in-
vested in the necessary infrastructure. Research by Idzi and Gomes (2022) found that gov-
ernment portals offering full availability of state services online are among the most consis-
tent outcomes of Digital Era Governance. In South Africa, the South African Revenue Service
Page 3 of 13
, UNISA | EUP1501 Summative Assessment (Portfolio)
(SARS) eFiling platform allows taxpayers to submit returns, track refunds, and resolve queries
digitally – reducing queues at physical branches and cutting processing times significantly.
AI and IoT applications push Government 5.0 further. Al-Ansi et al. (2024) found that inte-
grating AI and IoT into e-government services creates opportunities for agencies to streamline
operations and better meet constituent needs. Kenya’s eCitizen platform, for example, brings
together over 5 000 government services, allowing citizens to apply for passports, business reg-
istrations, and court documents from a smartphone. This kind of consolidation reduces corrup-
tion risk and improves transparency.
Implementation Insight
South African Example: The Department of Home Affairs’ ABIS (Automated Bio-
metric Identification System) uses AI to verify identity documents in seconds, reducing
identity fraud and cutting waiting times at service points (Al-Ansi et al., 2024).
2.2 ICT4D Supporting Community Development
In developing communities, ICT4D projects are tackling some of the most stubborn barriers
to progress. Mobile banking through platforms like M-Pesa in Kenya has given millions of un-
banked households access to financial services, enabling them to save, transfer money, and pay
for goods without a formal bank account. In South Africa, platforms like Mama Money allow
migrant workers to send remittances affordably, directly supporting household income in rural
areas.
Digital health is another area where ICT4D is making a measurable difference. Community
health workers in rural areas use tablet-based systems to record patient data, track medication
adherence, and flag cases for referral. This is particularly relevant for TB and HIV manage-
ment in sub-Saharan Africa, where clinic visits are costly and infrequent. Online education
platforms such as Siyavula and Khan Academy (available in South African languages) give
learners access to quality content regardless of whether their school has a library or a qualified
teacher in every subject.
Implementation Insight
Practical Example: During the COVID-19 lockdown, the South African government
zero-rated several educational websites, allowing learners to access digital textbooks
and lessons without consuming mobile data. This is a direct application of ICT4D
Page 4 of 13
