Barriers, Benefits, and Enablers of Digital Transformation in Public Sector Governance: A Southern African Parliamentary Perspective During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for digital transformation in public sector governance, particularly in Southern African parliaments. However, limited empirical research has examined how digital transformation unfolded within parliamentary institutions in the Global South. This study examines the barriers, benefits, and enablers of digital transformation in Southern African parliaments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on empirical evidence from parliamentary actors, the paper shows that digital transformation was not a linear or purely technical process, but a context-dependent governance response shaped by structural constraints, institutional capacity, and leadership agency. Key barriers included financial limitations, infrastructure gaps, digital skills deficits, and cybersecurity concerns, all of which influenced the pace and scope of digital adoption. Despite these challenges, the pandemic acted as a catalyst for innovation, enabling parliaments to maintain legislative continuity, improve operational efficiency, and expand access to parliamentary information. However, the findings reveal that these benefits were uneven and conditional, with rural connectivity gaps and high data costs limiting inclusive participation. The study demonstrates that digital transformation outcomes depend on the interaction between barriers, benefits, and enablers, with leadership playing a critical mediating role. It further argues that the democratic value of digitalization is contingent upon equitable access and institutional readiness. The paper contributes to digital governance research by advancing a context-sensitive understanding of parliamentary digital transformation in the Global South.