The UAE Government, working with the World Bank Group, has launched the first cohort of a programme designed to help African countries build more efficient and people-focused public administrations.
The Government Experience Exchange Programme for Zero Government Bureaucracy brought together delegations from Benin, Djibouti and Rwanda to learn from the UAE's government modernisation experience.
The programme gathered ministers and senior officials from sectors including digital transformation, finance, urban affairs, health and government information systems. Over the course of 15 meetings, sessions and workshops with UAE experts, participants explored seamless service delivery, community engagement in service design and ways to improve financial efficiency and government performance.
Each country was asked to identify a priority reform challenge, develop a 90-day national action plan, name the stakeholders responsible for delivery and set KPIs with follow-up milestones. National taskforces were formed to supply data and lead implementation. A virtual session with the Government of Uzbekistan also gave delegations a look at lessons and challenges from another country applying Zero Government Bureaucracy initiatives.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said the partnership aims to turn shared experience into practical initiatives backed by measurable KPIs and clear roadmaps. He described it as a genuine partnership to shape the future rather than a simple transfer of experience between countries.
Ousmane Dione, World Bank Group Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region, said the exchange will help governments simplify procedures, improve services and put people and businesses at the centre of public administration, which he linked to job creation and tangible results.
The UAE Government Experience Exchange Office is coordinating UAE experts and supporting national teams, while the World Bank Group is aligning the programme with each country's priorities and connecting teams with technical expertise. The initiative follows the partnership the two sides launched in Washington, DC, in April 2026.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
