Innovation and Challenges in the Digital Transformation of Government in the City of Surabaya

Digital transformation in government is crucial for enhancing efficiency, transparency, and the quality of public services. Surabaya, as one of Indonesia's largest cities, has committed to implementing various digital innovations to achieve a modern and responsive governance system. This paper examines the innovations implemented in the digital transformation of government in Surabaya, along with the challenges encountered during this process. A qualitative approach was used, analyzing case studies of key digital initiatives such as the implementation of the Electronic Government System (SPBE), e-Government services, and smart city technologies across various sectors. The findings reveal that while Surabaya has successfully implemented several significant innovations, such as the digitization of public services and administrative processes, there are still considerable challenges, including infrastructure limitations, the need for enhanced digital skills among government personnel, and disparities in digital access among citizens. Therefore, it is essential for the city government to continue investing in technology development, training programs for public servants, and strengthening citizen engagement in the digital transformation process. This paper also provides recommendations for other local governments looking to adopt similar digital transformation models, emphasizing the importance of local context and infrastructure readiness.