Steven Matainaho is the Secretary of the Papua New Guinea Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), a role that positions him as a key driver of the country’s digital transformation agenda. With a strong commitment to modernizing public administration and enhancing service delivery through technology, Matainaho is spearheading innovative policies and initiatives that aim to build an inclusive digital economy in Papua New Guinea.

Since his appointment as Secretary and Chairman of the PNG ICT Steering Committee in 2020, Matainaho has played a pivotal role in crafting and implementing the Digital Transformation Policy, which provides the blueprint for advancing e-government services, fostering interagency collaboration, and improving citizen access to government services. Under his leadership, the department has championed the development of the GovPNG Technology Stack, a centralized framework that includes critical platforms such as the E-Government Portal, Sevis Pass (Digital ID), E-Wallet, and E-Portal. These systems are designed to create interoperable and efficient service delivery mechanisms for government operations.

Matainaho has also prioritized cybersecurity, recognizing its importance in protecting national infrastructure, government data, and citizen information. This commitment is reflected in DICT’s efforts to establish the Cyber Coordination Unit, which provides alerts, notices, and updates on vulnerabilities to enhance national cyber resilience.

As a dynamic leader, Matainaho places significant emphasis on capacity building and collaboration. Some major events he led was the Digital Transformation Summit, Pacific ICT Dialogue,  which brings together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to share insights, align strategies, and empower Digital Transformation Officers (DTOs) across government agencies. These efforts align with his vision of fostering a digitally empowered workforce and creating sustainable partnerships to accelerate progress.

Steven Matainaho’s forward-thinking leadership is also evident in his dedication to citizen-centric approaches. He has prioritized enhancing communication channels to educate and engage Papua New Guineans on the benefits of ICT initiatives, ensuring no one is left behind as the country undergoes this transformative journey.

Through his progressive policies and visionary leadership, Steven Matainaho continues to pave the way for PNG to achieve a digitally empowered future, positioning the nation as a leader in digital innovation in the Pacific region.

LINKS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-matainaho-57134640/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secretarypngdict

Email: secretary@ict.gov.pg