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India’s DPI Globalisation Drive
Context:
India, during its G20 presidency, placed a significant emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a cornerstone for inclusive growth and digital empowerment. Through its leadership, India advocated for the global adoption of DPI as a transformative tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
India’s DPI Success Story
- Aadhaar: World’s largest biometric ID system, enabling direct benefit transfers and financial inclusion.
- UPI: Revolutionised digital payments with over 10 billion monthly transactions.
- Co-WIN: Streamlined vaccine delivery and management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
International Commitments to Global DPI Deployment
Global Digital Compact and DPI Promotion
- DPI emerged as a priority area in the Global Digital Compact under the UN framework.
- The Office of the UN Special Envoy for Technology launched a ‘safeguards’ initiative to develop foundational principles for DPI development.
- The Compact aims to standardize DPI practices and ensure their alignment with global ethical and operational standards.
- Developed countries: They have made financial commitments to support DPI rollouts in developing nations.
- Quad: The Quad announced principles for DPI development and deployment in third countries.
- G20: The G20 endorsed initiatives aimed at assisting countries in adopting DPI to enhance transparency and efficiency.
Status of Developed Countries on DPI Rollouts
- Developed Countries Leadings: Developed nations with high state capacity have digitized several government services.
- Extending DPI rollout: These countries are now focusing on extending DPI support to low- and middle-income countries.
- Challenges : ensuring interoperability and inclusivity in global DPI efforts.
Global Status of DPI Adoption
- Variation: Adoption rates vary widely between regions, with developed nations leading and developing countries catching up.
- Several projects are in the pilot or planning stages, demonstrating growing interest in DPI.
- Challenges such as funding, technical expertise, and infrastructure remain, but international collaboration is mitigating these barriers.
Successful DPI Projects Worldwide
- Madagascar: eCRVS system providing legal identities to 8.4 million people across 525 communes.
- Zambia: Digital identity verification integrated into electronic health records, covering 1 million people in 400 health facilities.
- Nigeria and Mozambique: Multi-purpose interoperable platforms for targeted health campaigns, benefitting millions.
- Liberia: Bed-net distribution campaign reaching 7 million people using DPI.
- Rwanda: National Digital Agriculture Chain for improved resource allocation and subsidy targeting.
- Dominican Republic: Digital citizen’s wallet for verifiable credentials.
- Togo: Pilot fast-payment system set for nationwide rollout.
UNDP’s ‘50 in 5’ Campaign
- Objective: Enable 50 new countries to deploy DPI within five years.
- Initially perceived as ambitious, the campaign gained momentum as more countries embraced DPI.
- Progress has been marked by the rapid deployment of DPI solutions globally.
G20’s Role in DPI Promotion
- Advocated for DPI as a tool for sustainable development and digital equity.
- Encouraged member countries to share technical expertise and financial resources.
- Fostered global dialogue on the ethical and operational principles of DPI deployment.
Challenges in Deploying DPI
- Institutional Challenges: Bureaucratic hurdles in identifying responsible government departments.
- Technical Barriers: Lack of internal technical capabilities and expertise in many developing nations.
- Financial Constraints: High costs associated with designing and implementing DPI systems.
- Capacity Building: Limited experience with digitisation in countries embarking on such projects for the first time.
Solutions to Address DPI Deployment Challenges
- DPI as a Packaged Service (DaaS): A cloud-based suite of pre-packaged DPI building blocks that simplifies deployment for countries with limited technical capacity.
- Advantages: Affordable, scalable, and user-friendly for small populations.
- Example: Zambia’s integration of a digital identity system with its electronic health records.
- International Collaboration: Leveraging global expertise and financial support from multilateral organisations and developed nations.
- Capacity Building Programs: Training government officials and stakeholders in DPI implementation and maintenance.
- Pilot Programs: Initiating small-scale DPI projects to build confidence and refine systems before nationwide rollouts.
