Participatory budgeting in the digital era: Challenges and opportunities in the City of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Background: Participatory budgeting (PB) techniques have emerged to promote democratic engagement with local government to influence local government expenditures and ensure priorities of all role-players are incorporated into the budgets. Innovative strategies have been implemented to integrate digital transformations into local government operations, and PB processes have also been affected by these developments. Aim: The study aims to examine the adoption and use of digital platforms in PB initiatives in the City of Bulawayo. Methods: This study, grounded on the interpretivist paradigm, employs qualitative research methodologies to generate its findings and conclusions. Results: Findings indicate that the City of Bulawayo has significantly advanced in integrating the perspectives of marginalised groups through their active involvement in the initial phases of budgeting. In their commitment to fostering inclusion, they have adopted technological advancements and initiated attempts to engage communities via websites and social media platforms, like Facebook and X. Conclusion: The study concludes that power and class relations have adversely affected the adoption of digital platforms in enhancing PB. The majority of citizens have not found internet venues to be conducive for voicing their concerns, due to obstacles such as inadequate accountability, insufficient digital literacy and affordability constraints. Contribution: The study bridges the knowledge gap by exploring the correlation between PB and digital transformation, an area that is under-researched in the Zimbabwean context. The research also contributes to the jurisdiction of local government and public administration at large by infusing existing digital transformations within the traditional mechanisms of participatory governance.