This interest hadn't just occurred overnight, but it was the result of 15 years of hard work, Tallo said, adding that some countries, such as Mosambique and Argetina, had become aware of the Estonian successes back in 2007, yet the implementation of an interoperable X-Road system followed 10 years later.

Namibia, on the other hand, had managed to establish an X-Road-based system in just four years after attending the academy's training program. “Extensive changes take time. It’s not only about utilizing technology, but transforming the frame of mind,” Tallo noted.

Tallo also emphasized that other countries coulnd't copy Estonia's e-Governance one to one. “Every nation needs to find its own way considering local aspects. Also, there are prerequisites to meet before we can talk about establishing e-Governance. These are connectivity, digital databases, an interoperability framework, and a digital identity.”

In order to ensure the sustainable progress of e-Governance, local expertise is required. Stefano Manservisi, the European Commission's Director General of International Cooperation and Development, hopes to see more active exchange of knowledge between Europe and Africa, regarding the opportunities of effective governance with the help of information and communications technologies.

The African Union’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Amani Abou-Zeid, found the Estonian experience inspiring. “We do not have to copy identically, yet Estonian achievements are assuring the feasibility,” she said.

The Tallinn e-Governance Conference 2017 was the third of its kind organized by the e-Governance Academy in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States.