Digital transformation in local government involves more than technology. It also raises important questions about institutional capacity, data strategy, ways of working and what municipalities need to sustain digital infrastructure over time.

Join us for a series of lightning talks and a panel discussion exploring these questions through the real-world experiences of the Urban Resilience Programme. Supported by the UK FCDO, initiated with foundational data strategy from the Open Data Institute (ODI), and implemented alongside Open Cities Lab (OCL), this session goes far beyond the typical success story.

What We’ll Explore:

  • Behind the City Stories: What local officials set out to achieve, the practical hurdles they faced, and what has actually changed in daily practice.
  • What worked - and what didn’t: The approaches that gained traction, what is still being embedded and where challenges remain.
  • Connecting Local to National: How municipal-level lessons tie into broader conversations around Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), interoperability, and institutional readiness.
  • Sustained Ownership: How to create the organizational conditions that allow digital infrastructure to thrive long after a programme ends.

Why attend? If you are a city official, policymaker, or practitioner looking for honest insights working with data and digital transformation, this webinar offers practical and candid insights into what it really takes to build data-capable local government.

Speakers

Norma Grobler, Manager: Information and Communication, Technology (ICT) , Ugu District Municipality

Norma Grobler serves as the Manager: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Ugu District Municipality, where she provides strategic leadership in digital transformation, ICT governance, cybersecurity, data management, and technology-enabled service delivery. With extensive experience in municipal ICT management, Norma has established herself as a leader committed to leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency, strengthen governance, and enhance service delivery outcomes for communities.

In her role, Norma is responsible for developing and implementing ICT strategies, policies, and governance frameworks that align with municipal objectives, national legislation, and industry best practices. She has led numerous initiatives focused on modernising ICT infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, advancing data analytics and business intelligence capabilities, and supporting the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to drive evidence-based decision-making across the municipality.

More speakers to be announced.

Click here to book