Using Digital Public Infrastructure to accelerate digital transformation

Digital public infrastructure can accelerate national level digital transformation

The digital revolution is reshaping how nations manage governance, public services, and economic development. Digital public infrastructure (DPI) forms the backbone of this transformation by providing secure, interoperable, and inclusive systems that drive efficiencies across public and private sectors. DPI enables nations to streamline service delivery, enhance governance, and foster economic innovation. This discussion explores how governments can effectively utilise DPI frameworks, examining key components, benefits, challenges, and strategic enablers for sustainable implementation. Additionally, it highlights how nations can integrate DPI into their broader digital transformation efforts.

Understanding digital public infrastructure

DPI consists of shared digital systems designed to facilitate large-scale, secure, and inclusive public and private services. The primary components include:

• Digital identity systems – Enable citizens to access government and financial services securely, reducing fraud and improving service efficiency.

• Digital payments infrastructure – Facilitates financial transactions between governments, businesses, and citizens, ensuring transparency and financial inclusion.

• Data-sharing platforms – Enable interoperability between government agencies, minimising administrative burdens and enhancing decision-making capabilities.

• Digital post and notification systems – Improve communication between public institutions, businesses, and citizens by providing reliable, real-time digital messaging platforms.

• Single digital gateways – Serve as unified access points for citizens and businesses to interact with government services in a user-friendly manner.

Governments are responsible for the design, implementation, and regulation of DPI, ensuring that systems align with national development goals, economic strategies, and security frameworks.

Key benefits of DPI for national digital transformation

1. Efficiency and cost-effectiveness

   • Reduces reliance on physical infrastructure, cutting operational costs and streamlining service delivery.

   • Automates administrative tasks, freeing resources for strategic government initiatives.

2. Interoperability and governance improvements

   • Enhances cross-sector collaboration through integrated data-sharing frameworks.

   • Supports a ‘once-only’ principle, reducing redundant administrative requests for citizens and businesses.

3. Citizen-centric service delivery

   • Simplifies user interactions with government services, ensuring accessibility for all citizens.

   • Supports multi-channel service provision, including mobile platforms and digital kiosks.

4. Economic inclusion and private sector engagement

   • Encourages financial inclusion through digital payment systems, fostering economic participation among under served populations.

   • Stimulates innovation by enabling startups and businesses to build services on top of government APIs.

5. Resilience and adaptability

   • Strengthens national capacity to respond to crises, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

   • Ensures continuous service provision through cloud-based solutions and decentralised data storage.

6. Innovation and international collaboration

   • Encourages development of scalable digital services that integrate AI and emerging technologies.

   • Facilitates regional and global cooperation through cross-border interoperability initiatives.

Strategic enablers of DPI implementation

1. Comprehensive governance frameworks

   • Establish national DPI strategies to guide implementation, regulation, and public-private collaboration.

   • Adopt structured governance models such as Norway’s National Joint Solutions and India’s IndiaStack to ensure alignment with national priorities.

2. Public-private partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaboration

   • Encourage co-development of DPI components with private sector actors and non-governmental organisations.

   • Leverage private sector expertise in technology development, cybersecurity, and user experience design.

3. Sustainable investment and funding mechanisms

   • Implement long-term financial models, including transaction-based revenue generation and public sector co-funding.

   • Establish centralised digital transformation funds to support national DPI expansion and maintenance.

4. Robust security and ethical safeguards

   • Adopt privacy-by-design approaches to ensure data protection and cybersecurity resilience.

   • Implement ethical AI governance frameworks to address bias and algorithmic transparency in DPI-driven services.

5. International cooperation and interoperability

   • Align national DPI initiatives with global best practices, such as the G20 DPI Framework.

   • Foster bilateral and regional agreements to promote cross-border interoperability and knowledge sharing.

How nations can use DPI frameworks to drive transformation

1. Develop national DPI blueprints

   • Conduct national assessments to identify gaps and opportunities for DPI integration.

   • Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to track implementation progress and impact.

2. Adopt an inclusive and user-centric design approach

   • Engage civil society and marginalised groups to ensure digital accessibility.

   • Incorporate multilingual interfaces and offline access options to reach diverse populations.

3. Leverage open standards and scalable architectures

   • Encourage adoption of open-source technologies and common data-sharing protocols.

   • Design DPI components to integrate seamlessly with future technological advancements.

4. Invest in digital literacy and capacity building

   • Train government employees on DPI usage and management.

   • Promote public awareness campaigns to enhance citizen adoption of DPI services.

5. Monitor, evaluate, and iterate DPI policies

   • Establish regulatory sandboxes to test new DPI solutions before national deployment.

   • Continuously refine DPI frameworks based on emerging trends and user feedback.

Conclusion

DPI represents a cornerstone of digital government transformation, providing a secure and scalable foundation for efficient service delivery and economic growth. To maximise its potential, nations must adopt a strategic and collaborative approach, integrating robust governance frameworks, sustainable funding models, and cross-sectoral partnerships. By embracing DPI, governments can enhance public service efficiency, drive financial inclusion, and create a resilient digital ecosystem that benefits society as a whole.

References

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2024). Digital public infrastructure for digital governments. OECD Public Governance Policy Papers No. 68. https://doi.org/10.1787/df1031a4-en

• United Nations Development Programme. (2023). The human and economic impact of digital public infrastructure. UNDP. https://www.undp.org/publications/accelerating-sdgs-through-digital-public-infrastructure-compendium

• Government of India. (2024). IndiaStack: Open digital ecosystems for national digital transformation. Retrieved from https://indiastack.org/

• OECD Digital Government Unit. (2024). G7 Compendium of Digital Government Services. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/69fbf288-en