The Gauteng Department of e-Government has tabled a budget of just over R1.5-billion for the 2025/26 financial year to drive the province’s digital transformation.

This investment will focus on improving connectivity, enhancing citizen access to services and building a digitally-smart province.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Department of e-Government said it is advancing the rollout of the Gauteng Provincial Network Phase 3, which aims to provide fast, reliable Internet to government institutions and communities.

To date, 1 321 wide area and 737 local area network sites have been completed, along with 119 WiFi hotspots in 26 priority townships and 423 voice over IP sites.

“This project is critical in building a connected Gauteng that supports digital services in schools, libraries, clinics and communities, with a special focus on townships, informal settlements and hostels (TISH),” the department said.

Technology also plays a vital role in improving safety across the province, with over 517 CCTV cameras having been deployed in crime hotspots, supported by a strategic partnership with Vumacam, which provides access to 6 399 surveillance cameras across Gauteng.

As part of the province’s e-policing programme, physical e-panic buttons have been distributed and more than 90 000 mobile e-panic apps have been downloaded, which has resulted in over 51 000 emergency callouts, responding to incidents like car accidents, shootings and gender-based violence, especially in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.

Meanwhile, the department will expand and enhance Gauteng’s one-stop portal for accessing government services online, the Gauteng Digital Platform, to offer more convenient and secure public services.

Further, to boost digital skills in the province, the department will train 7 700 public servants online, award 70 bursaries and provide information and communication technology (ICT) skills training to 12 000 young people, especially those in TISH areas.

In addition, 200 township-based ICT entrepreneurs will receive business support as part of efforts to empower small businesses and promote digital inclusion.

The department is also modernising human resources processes within the Gauteng provincial government through the rollout of employee self-service modules, and training and awareness programmes to improve efficiency and service delivery.