The new era of public management in Brazil

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Digital

Public Management

Governance

March 31, 2025

The new era of public management in Brazil

GovTech Revolution optimizes processes, reduces bureaucracy, and helps municipalities become more efficient, transparent, and inclusive

 Digital transformation is profoundly reconfiguring Brazilian public administration , creating unprecedented opportunities for municipalities to become more efficient, transparent, and inclusive. This movement, known as GovTech Revolution, is driven by startups and technology companies offering innovative solutions to optimize processes, reduce bureaucracies, and foster civic engagement in more participatory management models. By adopting emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, and automation, governments not only modernize their internal processes but also build dynamic bridges between the State and society, expanding citizen participation and strengthening the pillars of democracy, laying the foundation for the consolidation of Digital Governments and Smart Cities.

The essence of the so-called GovTech Revolution lies in the convergence of technological innovation with a robust legal framework and a planning strategy that favors integration and efficiency of public services. For this transformation to be effective, municipalities need to develop their Information and Communication Technology Master Plans (PDTIC). These plans are fundamental strategic instruments that define the guidelines, goals, and investments necessary for the implementation of information technologies in the public sector. They allow for the identification of gaps, the establishment of priorities, and the promotion of interoperability between the various government systems and agencies, creating an environment conducive to continuous innovation.

When structuring a ICT Master Plan, public managers can align technological initiatives with the administration’s strategic objectives, ensuring that investments in technology are made in a coordinated and sustainable manner. This planning is essential for transforming the citizen experience, as it enables the development of more agile, personalized, and transparent public services.

The Plan guides the creation and implementation of modern technological infrastructures, systems, and solutions, defining priorities, goals, and the necessary investments to ensure the interoperability and efficiency of information systems at the service of the administration and the population.

When developing an ICT Master Plan, public managers can:

  • Diagnose the situation: identify the “current digital architecture”, technological deficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in data and process management;
  • Define strategic objectives: establish short, medium, and long-term goals for the modernization of public services;
  • Planning investments: prioritizing resources and defining timelines for the implementation of digital solutions;
  • Promote improvement and integration of systems: facilitate interoperability between the various government bodies, ensuring that information is shared securely and efficiently;
  • Increase transparency and citizen participation: create mechanisms that allow citizens to monitor, in real time, government actions and investments.

These structured initiatives are fundamental for public administration to become more responsive and for the services offered to be truly centered on the needs of citizens.

The advancement of the GovTech vertical in Brazil is supported by a set of legal frameworks that serve as a basis for innovation in the public sector; among them I highlight:

1. General Data Protection Law (LGPD – Law nº 13.709/2018)

The LGPD establishes strict rules for the collection, processing, and storage of personal data, ensuring citizens’ privacy and promoting the security of digital operations. By creating a trustworthy environment, this legislation is fundamental for digital initiatives to develop ethically and securely, protecting individual rights while enabling the modernization of public services.

2. Digital Government Law (Law nº 14.129/2021)

This law guides the modernization of public services, promoting interoperability between government systems, active transparency, and digital inclusion. Requiring public bodies to adopt integrated and centralized practices, the Digital Government Law allows citizens to monitor, in real-time, the execution of works, the allocation of resources, and the development of public policies. This accountability mechanism strengthens citizen participation and creates a more open and responsive administration.

3. Legal Framework for Startups and Innovation (Complementary Law nº 182/2021)

The Legal Framework for Startups, established by complementary law nº 182/2021 and complemented by instruments such as decree nº 10.282/2020, has been crucial for de-bureaucratizing and streamlining the contracting of innovative services by the public sector. This regulatory framework allows municipalities to contract technological solutions in a more flexible and transparent manner, stimulating the development of customized innovations that meet the specific needs of each region.

Digital transformation in municipalities

The digitalization of public management is already manifesting concretely in many Brazilian municipalities, with the growing adoption of integrated platforms that centralize information and simplify administration, allowing continuous and transparent monitoring of works and programs, with the digitalization of essential services through portals and applications, which enables citizens to schedule appointments, issue documents, and participate in public hearings remotely, eliminating queues and speeding up service, among other strategies that support models of so-called paperless city halls.

These advances are intensified in Brazil by constant investments in infrastructure, development and integration of systems and by the continuous training digital of public servants, promoted by institutions such as the National School of Public Administration (ENAP). ENAP stands out by offering a wide range of updating courses and activities focused on technology and digital government, strengthening the national GovTech culture and preparing public agents for the challenges of a digitized administration.

The collaboration between the public sector and private initiative is also vital for the consolidation of the GovTech Revolution. Initiatives such as the mapping carried out by BrazilLab, in partnership with Oracle, highlight this scenario and provide a comprehensive and up-to-date view of the trends, challenges, and opportunities in the digitalization of public services, serving as a guide for managers and investors. This mapping strengthens the GovTech ecosystem by connecting governments, startups, and society, stimulating the exchange of experiences and the adoption of innovative technological solutions on a large scale.

In the international arena, support from institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) amplifies the impact of this transformation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Through programs like GovTech Lab, the IDB offers technical and financial support for innovative projects, while CAF invests in financing and specialized consulting to promote interoperability and cybersecurity, reducing regional inequalities and increasing the effectiveness of public services.

Impacts and benefits of the Digital Revolution

The integration of disruptive technologies with a solid legal framework has generated measurable impacts on public management. Studies by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicate that process automation can reduce operational costs by up to 20%, freeing up resources that can be directed to strategic areas such as health, education, and infrastructure. The experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of a robust digital infrastructure, which enabled the rapid implementation of tracking systems and the efficient distribution of emergency aid, demonstrating that a digitally prepared public administration is capable of facing crises with agility.

At this moment, it is fundamental that public managers are culturally aware of the urgency to strengthen the agenda in their areas of operation and understand that the GovTech Revolution is not simply a technological update; it represents a profound reinvention of public service, integrating technology, innovation, legislation, and strategic planning to create a modern, collaborative, and truly inclusive administration. By developing their digital governance strategies, municipalities define the path for the integration and optimization of information systems, ensuring that investments in technology are made in a coordinated and sustainable manner. This new approach positions the State as a facilitator of social development, promoting constant dialogue with society and transforming challenges into opportunities.

Despite recent important advances, the implementation of GovTech solutions in Brazil still faces challenges, such as the lack of interoperability between government systems, cultural resistance to innovation within public administration, the digital skills deficit among public servants, and limited technological infrastructure in some regions. To overcome these barriers, it is essential to invest in the training of public managers, strengthen partnerships with the private sector, and create incentive mechanisms for the digitalization of the public sector.

We are facing a new era in which data, technology, and innovation become the main assets of governance. However, the digitalization of the public sector will not happen automatically. It requires political will, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to efficiency and transparency. Therefore, one of the main questions is: are public managers prepared to abandon obsolete models and promote digital government? The future of public administration will depend not only on available technologies but on the courage and capacity of governments to reinvent their practices, break with outdated paradigms, and place innovation at the center of public management. After all, if technology can transform the private sector, why can’t it do the same for the public sector? The remaining question is: who will be ready to lead this change?

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Who wrote this column

Pedro Chamochumbi

É gestor de inovação, agente de desenvolvimento, ESG, cidades inteligentes e governo digital. É cofundador da AiX - Agência de Inovação, consultor associado ao Instituto Pecege, membro do Conselho Municipal de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação de Piracicaba, professor, palestrante e mentor de negócios inovadores.

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