UNDP announces first 11 countries in campaign to develop DPI worldwide

In a sweeping global effort, 11 ‘First-Mover’ nations have launched the 50-in-5 campaign, propelling the widespread adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), as announced by the United Nations Development Programme. The mission is ambitious: assisting 50 countries in designing, launching, and scaling DPI components by 2028. Leading the charge are Bangladesh, Estonia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Moldova, Norway, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Togo, collectively known as the ‘First-Mover’ countries.

Positioned as a breakthrough, DPI gains momentum to achieve SDGs by 2030, maximizing opportunities for digitalization while mitigating associated risks. Enabling local digital ecosystem players to innovate, DPI fosters new services for people.

Launched on the 8 November, the 50-in-5 campaign, a country-led advocacy initiative, collaborates with influential entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure, Co-Develop, the Digital Public Goods Alliance, and the UN Development Programme.

Why does it matter?

The campaign serves as a platform for countries to share insights, best practices, and technologies, aiming to reduce costs, build local capacity, and expedite DPI implementation. The diverse participation of ‘First-Mover’ countries, representing advanced and emerging digital leaders, underscores a unified commitment to accelerating DPI adoption across geographies and income levels. While the benefits of DPI in unlocking innovation and value are evident, obstacles like providing people-centric governance, accessibility for last-mile communities, adoption barriers, and funding shortages have hindered its success. The 50-in-5 campaign tackles these challenges, aiming to cultivate robust economies and foster equitable societies (their website can be found here).