Digitalization without paper bureaucracy: Can Tajikistan build a fully digital state?
Tajikistan has stepped up efforts to move public services online, but fragmented government systems, paper-based procedures and limited digital infrastructure continue to hinder progress. Despite the launch of a unified government services portal, many services remain only partially digital, raising questions about how quickly the country can turn its e-government ambitions into reality.
President Emomali Rahmon has called for the accelerated transfer of priority public services to electronic formats and the integration of state information systems. Speaking at the first meeting of the Presidential Council for Digital Economy Development on August 19, he highlighted persistent problems, including fragmented databases, repeated requests for the same information from citizens and the continued use of paper documents.
The priorities include integrating government information systems, protecting personal data, strengthening cybersecurity and applying the «once-only» principle, under which citizens should not have to repeatedly submit information already held by the state.
However, digitalization involves more than launching websites or converting paper certificates into electronic files. It requires simplifying administrative procedures, connecting government databases, introducing reliable digital identification and electronic signatures, training civil servants and ensuring affordable, high-quality internet access.
Tajikistan trails its Central Asian neighbors
The gap between Tajikistan and other countries in the region is reflected in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) for 2024.
Kazakhstan ranked 24th out of 193 countries, with a score of 0.9009, followed by Uzbekistan in 63rd place with 0.7999 and Kyrgyzstan in 78th place with 0.7316. Tajikistan ranked 123rd, scoring 0.5606.
The difference is also evident in the Online Service Index, which measures the availability and development of online government services. Kazakhstan scored 0.9390, Uzbekistan 0.7648, Kyrgyzstan 0.6072 and Tajikistan 0.4476.
Tajikistan has made progress: its overall EGDI score increased from 0.5039 in 2022 to 0.5606 in 2024. Nevertheless, the gap with its neighbors remains substantial.
Slow, predominantly in-person administrative procedures cost citizens and businesses time and money, create queues and require repeated visits to government offices. The greater the number of face-to-face interactions and the less transparent the decision-making process, the greater the potential for corruption.
Putting bureaucracy online is not enough
One common mistake in digital reform is transferring existing administrative procedures to the internet without simplifying them first.
If obtaining a certificate requires visits to four institutions, five documents and three signatures, an online application form alone will not solve the problem. Citizens may still have to deliver paper documents in person, visit government offices or obtain information that another state agency already holds.
The World Bank’s GovTech approach advocates a government-wide model of digital transformation, centered on accessible, citizen-oriented services and the modernization of core government systems.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is another key component. It includes reliable digital identification, electronic payments and secure data exchange between government systems, allowing agencies to share common digital tools rather than building incompatible platforms.
What needs to change?
Tajikistan needs a unified digital government architecture rather than a collection of separate departmental platforms.
A single public services portal should allow citizens to identify themselves through one system, find the services they need, submit applications and track their progress. Behind the portal, government databases — including those maintained by tax authorities, civil registry offices, the Interior Ministry, social protection agencies, the cadaster and transport authorities — must be able to exchange information securely.
The «once-only» principle should mean that if the state already holds information about a person or company, another agency cannot demand that it be submitted again.
President Emomali Rahmon has called for the accelerated transfer of priority public services to electronic formats and the integration of state information systems. Speaking at the first meeting of the Presidential Council for Digital Economy Development on August 19, he highlighted persistent problems, including fragmented databases, repeated requests for the same information from citizens and the continued use of paper documents.
The priorities include integrating government information systems, protecting personal data, strengthening cybersecurity and applying the «once-only» principle, under which citizens should not have to repeatedly submit information already held by the state.
However, digitalization involves more than launching websites or converting paper certificates into electronic files. It requires simplifying administrative procedures, connecting government databases, introducing reliable digital identification and electronic signatures, training civil servants and ensuring affordable, high-quality internet access.
Tajikistan trails its Central Asian neighbors
The gap between Tajikistan and other countries in the region is reflected in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) for 2024.
Kazakhstan ranked 24th out of 193 countries, with a score of 0.9009, followed by Uzbekistan in 63rd place with 0.7999 and Kyrgyzstan in 78th place with 0.7316. Tajikistan ranked 123rd, scoring 0.5606.
The difference is also evident in the Online Service Index, which measures the availability and development of online government services. Kazakhstan scored 0.9390, Uzbekistan 0.7648, Kyrgyzstan 0.6072 and Tajikistan 0.4476.
Tajikistan has made progress: its overall EGDI score increased from 0.5039 in 2022 to 0.5606 in 2024. Nevertheless, the gap with its neighbors remains substantial.
Slow, predominantly in-person administrative procedures cost citizens and businesses time and money, create queues and require repeated visits to government offices. The greater the number of face-to-face interactions and the less transparent the decision-making process, the greater the potential for corruption.
Putting bureaucracy online is not enough
One common mistake in digital reform is transferring existing administrative procedures to the internet without simplifying them first.
If obtaining a certificate requires visits to four institutions, five documents and three signatures, an online application form alone will not solve the problem. Citizens may still have to deliver paper documents in person, visit government offices or obtain information that another state agency already holds.
The World Bank’s GovTech approach advocates a government-wide model of digital transformation, centered on accessible, citizen-oriented services and the modernization of core government systems.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is another key component. It includes reliable digital identification, electronic payments and secure data exchange between government systems, allowing agencies to share common digital tools rather than building incompatible platforms.
What needs to change?
Tajikistan needs a unified digital government architecture rather than a collection of separate departmental platforms.
A single public services portal should allow citizens to identify themselves through one system, find the services they need, submit applications and track their progress. Behind the portal, government databases — including those maintained by tax authorities, civil registry offices, the Interior Ministry, social protection agencies, the cadaster and transport authorities — must be able to exchange information securely.
The «once-only» principle should mean that if the state already holds information about a person or company, another agency cannot demand that it be submitted again.
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