GovStack: A roadmap for building citizen-centric e-government services
Summary
Interoperable by design
Interoperability is key for digital services to work together
A closer look at Kenya's experience with GovStack
A workshop held during this May’s e-Governance Conference in Tallinn demonstrated how GovStack helps build user-friendly, future-proof digital services, highlighting Kenya's experiences as proof of its impact.
GovStack Lead for Estonia, Marika Popp, kicked off the workshop by noting that "digital transformation is more than just tech; it requires clear, proven methodologies that drive real impact." GovStack is one such methodology, providing a practical toolkit that governments can use to build citizen-centric digital services.
Interoperable by design
Laurence Berry, the GovStack UX/UI Working Group co-lead and founder of Komo.International, introduced the design layer for GovStack, highlighting the service patterns and requirements needed before actual implementation can take place. "By adopting the specifications, service catalogue, and prototyping tools offered by GovStack, governments can speed up their digital transformation journey and lay the groundwork for services that are adaptive and sustainable," said Berry.
The technical side of interoperability
Taavi Toomere, the head of Data Exchange Products at Cybernetica, focused on the technical side of GovStack, specifically the data exchange layer. The data exchange layer is one of GovStack's core elements, providing a secure and efficient backbone for data exchange across government systems. A strong data exchange infrastructure is essential for scalability and collaboration across different systems within the GovStack ecosystem.
"Interoperability is key for digital services to work together, making sure citizens get integrated and smooth service delivery," said Toomere.
A closer look at Kenya's experience with GovStack
Estonia and Kenya have been collaborating on digital transformation for several years. Riho Pihelpuu, CEO of ADM Interactive, shared insights from his company's work with GovStack-based services, including the integration of legacy systems with GovStack principles.
"The modularity and interoperability of GovStack aren't just theoretical; they're real tools for driving digital transformation," said Pihelpuu.
ADM Interactive is currently working on an ESTDEV-funded project, developing three public e-services in Kenya using GovStack principles in partnership with local groups. Using GovStack has enabled them to scale and integrate digital services, reduce duplication, and enhance the overall user experience.
Future-proofing digital governments
The GovStack framework shows how governments can create digital ecosystems that are future-proof by focusing on interoperability, modularity and citizen-centric design. "GovStack is more than just a framework; it's a roadmap for building digital governments that truly serve their people," said Popp.
Watch the full workshop for an overview of how governments can use technology to create digital public services that are impactful, inclusive and sustainable.
The workshop was recorded at the 2025 e-Governance Conference in Tallinn, Estonia.
GovStack was founded in 2020 by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), represented by GIZ, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, represented by ESTDEV, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL). The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) is the implementation partner for GovStack, fostering partnerships and community involvement.
GovStack is a global framework designed to help governments build and implement digital public services that are modular, interoperable and user-centric. It provides a toolkit of proven methodologies, tools and technical specifications that enable governments to create long-lasting digital ecosystems that work seamlessly across different systems.
Photo: e-Governance Conference 2025. On the photo: Marika Popp, Laurence Berry, Taavi Toomere and Riho Pihelpuu.
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