How Digital Public Infrastructure Transforms Lives

In much of the world, digital financial tools are a daily reality—used to process paychecks, pay for dinner, buy groceries, and more. But 1.4 billion adults in low- and middle-income countries still lack access to these tools.    This isn’t just an inconvenience for them; it's a barrier to economic growth and empowerment. According to a 2023 UN analysis, digital public infrastructure—including digital ID, payments, and data exchange—could accelerate GDP growth in these countries by 20 to 33 percent.    That’s where Mojaloop Foundation comes in: Their open-source software makes it possible for countries to build inclusive digital payment systems that allow anyone with a mobile phone to send and receive money securely, instantly, and affordably. This has the potential to drive economic inclusion—and open the doors to financial freedom—for billions.

2024: The Year Digital Public Infrastructure Became More Than Just Technology When I first started advocating for inclusive digital payment systems, many saw it as a technical challenge. This year proved it's fundamentally a human story of economic transformation. From Kigali to Nairobi to Dakar to Jo’burg to Islamabad, we're witnessing something extraordinary: nations are not just adopting digital infrastructure, they're reimagining economic participation for millions. Key milestones that defined the journey with my team, hand in hand with partners at AfricaNenda, African Development Bank Group, Karandaaz Pakistan, The World Bank, Mojaloop Foundation, Interledger Foundation: - Co-chaired the technical team at the UN's Universal DPI Safeguards Framework, creating global standards for digital public infrastructure - Engaged central banks from 20+ countries at #Mojaloop convenings, creating a large portfolio of projects for next years - Advanced Rwanda's RNDPS 2.0 national payment system using open-source #Mojaloop technology - Advanced WAEMU’s regional payment system - Witnessed scaling of Pakistan’s RAAST and Tanzania’s TIPS payment sustems Three of my posts that captured the collective momentum: 1. "Digital Transformation in Africa" Central banks are recognizing inclusive payment systems as economic game-changers. As I shared: "Rwanda's enlightened leadership in driving financial inclusion is an example of a movement happening across African countries." https://lnkd.in/etM5-VFB 2. "Mojaloop Convening Insights" We're seeing unprecedented recognition of open-source payment principles. "All African central banks should be aware of the Level One Project principles and the Mojaloop open-source software." https://lnkd.in/emNZNX5D 3. "UN Working Groups Appointment" Contributing to global digital infrastructure standards: "I'm honored to be part of the UN multi-stakeholder working groups for Digital Public Infrastructure Safeguards." https://lnkd.in/e34D87CT Looking ahead to 2025: the focus remains clear. Scaling successful digital payment implementations across more African and Asian nations while ensuring these systems remain safe, inclusive, and truly transformative. To the central banks, regulators, and partners turning vision into reality - your leadership is not just changing systems, but empowering lives. It will be an exciting journey working with you. #FinancialInclusion #DigitalTransformation #Mojaloop #AfricaDigitalTransformation #LinkedInRewind #Coauthor #2024wrapped

When disaster strikes, digital public infrastructure (DPI) can rapidly transform public services. This is the foundational digital capabilities nations provide to facilitate efficient and secure interactions within society, such as proving identity, paying for goods and services, or sharing data. DPI is a country’s digital backbone, rapidly enabling modern and responsive government, increasing inclusion and economic participation, and stimulating innovation across all sectors. 🚨 But at a time of national emergency, DPI can deploy national-scale digital services that meet citizens’ needs, with the cost-effectiveness, scale, and flexibility needed to meet the unfolding situation. 🎥 This video and blog https://lnkd.in/gRKZ5PZM, written by Dasun Hegoda, share a great example: when fuel shortages paralyzed 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 in 2022, the national Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka leveraged Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud & used DPI to get the country moving. Developed in just three weeks, the innovative QR-code-based National Fuel Pass eliminated 5-day queues, processed 11 million transactions, and cut fuel import costs from $500 million to $240 million USD. Pete Herlihy Poppy H. Watch: https://lnkd.in/gtxPgG5H

When we think of infrastructure, we usually think of big construction projects like roads and bridges. But there’s another kind of infrastructure that is just as essential to our experience of the world and our ability to navigate it. Today, vast digital networks shape and simplify our daily experiences, from mobile payments to healthcare to education. As my colleague Thao Hong writes in this great explainer, we call these networks digital public infrastructure (DPI), and building more of them could be one of the keys to progress on many of the world’s big challenges. Here's one example: When my work brought me to India earlier this year, I met a group of women accessing digital banking at a camp set up by the India Post Payments Bank. The country has been a leader in developing its digital public infrastructure so the public sector and businesses can offer a range of safe and immediate paperless and cashless services accessible from anywhere in the country. As a result, the women I met had affordable access to banking services that would normally have been over 2km and many hurdles away. That’s genuinely effective infrastructure, informed by the needs and aspirations of the people it serves. At the Gates Foundation, we want to see many more of these projects around the world over the next decade, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and we are committed to investing in and collaborating with local partners. Rajeev Chandrasekhar https://lnkd.in/gjF9_wZC

Digital solutions can help break the cycle of fragility and conflict—but progress still lags in the world’s most vulnerable places. The World Bank is helping close the gap by supporting governments to expand access to broadband, digital IDs, public services, and digital skills—even in the toughest settings. We are seeing powerful, scalable lessons: ➡️ Digital inclusion must be intentional, not incidental. Well-designed digital solutions can unlock access to essential services and livelihoods. In Nigeria, targeted programs helped increase the number of women with a national ID from 14 million to 48 million in just four years. ➡ Connectivity is essential for resilience. Building digital infrastructure in fragile regions is crucial for communities to withstand and recover from crises. In the Federated States of Micronesia, improved broadband for almost 40% of people there has empowered the country to respond better to natural disasters. ➡️ In fragile regions, every job created is a step toward stability. From Kosovo to Ethiopia, our projects have supported thousands of people in gaining access to digital skills and pathways to employment. Jobs help people build agency and anchor communities against cycles of poverty & conflict. 🔗 Read more: http://wrld.bg/y5n950VS7H7