UNDP and the World Bank advance digital transformation in the Global South
Within the framework of the 50in5 initiative, the UNDP aims to assist a minimum of 10 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in crafting Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs), fostering inter-country collaboration among nations in the Global South, facilitated in part by the FutureGov platform dedicated to advancing policy and program development for digital public services.
During the initial regular session of the 2024 UNDP Executive Board Evaluation Session, Marcos Neto, the UN Director of Policy and Program Support for the UNDP, provided a management response statement in reaction to the independent evaluation of UNDP’s assistance in digitalising public services.
The UNDP and World Bank are actively promoting the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the Global South. In response to an evaluation of its support for the digitalisation of public services, the UNDP plans to continue developing its DPI approach, focusing on user-centered design for key drivers like digital legal identity and financial services. The 50in5 program, launched in November 2023, aims to implement DPI in at least 50 countries by 2028, with the Dominican Republic recently joining. The UNDP will also support at least 10 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in developing DPIs and collaborate with the UN Legal Identity Agenda Task Force.
Simultaneously, the World Bank shared progress highlights from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where it has allocated $731.8 million for 11 digital development projects in the past six years and $2.8 billion for 24 active projects in the past decade. Despite significant achievements, such as deploying fiber optic cable in Mauritania and expanding broadband coverage in Uganda, challenges remain, with only 22 percent of SSA residents using mobile internet despite widespread availability. The World Bank plans to invest in digital IDs and payment systems, address the broadband access gap, and prioritize gender inclusion and digital literacy to support further regional DPI development.
Why does it matter?
The development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the Global South, championed by the UNDP and the World Bank, is crucial for fostering digital inclusion, empowering nations to actively participate in the digital economy, and ensuring that technological advancements benefit diverse populations. The user-centric design approach and collaborative efforts exemplify a commitment to reducing digital divides and addressing specific challenges marginalised communities face in pursuing comprehensive and equitable digital transformation.
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