• South Africa’s IT agency SITA is testing a government super-app to ease access to public services.

• The “Citizen Super-App” will allow service requests, digital payments, identity verification, and real-time updates.

• The project is still in pilot phase and faces hurdles, with 24% of the population offline in 2023.

South Africa’s State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has begun testing a government super-application designed to make public services easier to access. The platform, called the “Citizen Super-App,” was introduced by acting SITA chief executive Gopal Reddy during the 16th GovTech conference, held from September 8 to 10, according to local media.

Reddy explained that the app will let citizens access government services, track their requests, receive real-time updates and notifications, and interact with departments through self-service tools. It will also simplify identity verification, digitize administrative forms, integrate digital payment options, and enable smoother data sharing.

The project is part of South Africa’s broader digital transformation drive. In its 2025–2030 strategy, SITA highlights the modernization of government through technology as a central pillar, aiming for greater efficiency and transparency.

The strategy notes that this includes large-scale digital innovation, the use of artificial intelligence, and the rollout of new digital products such as the Citizen Super-App. Other priorities include modernizing government systems, expanding national connectivity, growing cloud and data center capacity, and improving cybersecurity through a centralized Cybersecurity Center (CSC).

The Citizen Super-App is still in its pilot phase, and officials have not disclosed when it will be fully launched. Its success will also depend on internet access and device availability, particularly in rural areas. According to the International Telecommunication Union, about 24% of South Africans were still offline in 2023.

Isaac K. Kassouwi