Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and development - a fresh view

Introduction

Digital public infrastructure (DPI) is emerging as a transformative approach to digitalisation, aimed at providing foundational digital building blocks for public benefit. Unlike traditional sector-specific digitalisation efforts, DPI emphasises reusability, interoperability, and a whole-of-society approach.

The World Bank’s white paper, Digital Public Infrastructure and Development: A World Bank Group Approach, presents a comprehensive framework for understanding and implementing DPI to accelerate safe and inclusive digital transformation. This article outlines the key concepts, benefits, challenges, and strategies associated with DPI.

Understanding DPI

DPI consists of digital identity, electronic signatures, digital payments, and data-sharing systems that serve as reusable infrastructure. These systems must be inclusive, interoperable, privacy-centric, and governed by strong oversight mechanisms. DPI is distinct from broader digital transformation efforts because it focuses on modularity, openness, and reusability across public and private sectors.

A key feature of DPI is its ability to enable innovation while reducing duplication and inefficiencies in digital service development. Unlike traditional digitalisation, which often results in fragmented, sector-specific solutions, DPI provides common infrastructure that can be leveraged across multiple domains, including finance, healthcare, agriculture, and social protection.

The Role of DPI in Development

DPI can drive economic development by enabling faster and more efficient public service delivery. Countries with well-established DPI frameworks were able to respond more effectively to crises like COVID-19 by quickly deploying emergency assistance and digital services. Additionally, DPI fosters financial inclusion by reducing transaction costs and expanding access to digital financial services.

A key advantage of DPI is its ability to create a more inclusive digital ecosystem. By prioritising accessibility and user-centric design, DPI can bridge the digital divide, ensuring that marginalised communities benefit from digital transformation. Moreover, DPI promotes competition by allowing both public and private entities to innovate on a shared foundation, leading to better services and lower costs for consumers.

Building and Scaling DPI

Implementing DPI requires strong institutional and technical capacity, sustained political commitment, and comprehensive legal frameworks. Countries must adopt a phased approach, starting with core foundational systems and expanding based on national priorities.

Different models of DPI implementation exist, ranging from centralised to federated and decentralised approaches. The choice of model depends on a country’s governance structure, technological capacity, and policy objectives. Regardless of the approach, successful DPI deployment requires investments in digital literacy, stakeholder engagement, and cybersecurity.

The role of the private sector is critical in building and sustaining DPI. By fostering public-private partnerships, governments can leverage private sector expertise to improve service delivery, enhance competition, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Key Lessons from DPI Implementation

The World Bank’s analysis highlights several key lessons for successful DPI implementation:

1. Prioritising safety and inclusion – DPI must be designed with robust privacy and security measures to protect users' rights. This includes embedding privacy-by-design principles, ensuring data protection, and addressing potential risks such as identity fraud and cyber threats.

2. Focusing on outcomes, not technology – Digital transformation should be driven by service delivery goals rather than technology adoption. DPI initiatives must be aligned with national development strategies and tailored to the specific needs of different population groups.

3. Putting users at the centre – Human-centred design principles are essential to ensure DPI is user-friendly and accessible. Continuous user feedback, co-creation, and iterative improvements help build trust and drive adoption.

4. Investing in capacity building – Developing DPI requires investments in digital literacy, government capacity, and private sector capabilities. Training programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives can help stakeholders understand and effectively use DPI.

5. Fostering collaboration – A whole-of-society approach is necessary for DPI success. Governments, private sector actors, civil society organisations, and international institutions must work together to create a well-functioning digital ecosystem.

Challenges and Risks

While DPI offers significant benefits, several challenges must be addressed:

• Digital divide – Disparities in internet access, digital literacy, and affordability can hinder DPI adoption. Strategies to bridge these gaps are essential to ensure inclusivity.

• Data privacy and security – Without proper safeguards, DPI can pose risks to personal data protection. Strong legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms are needed to mitigate these risks.

• Legacy systems – Many governments operate outdated digital platforms that lack interoperability. Transitioning to DPI requires overcoming institutional inertia and integrating with existing systems.

• Sustainability and scalability – DPI initiatives must be designed for long-term sustainability. This involves ensuring financial viability, fostering innovation, and maintaining adaptability to future technological advancements.

Conclusion

DPI represents a paradigm shift in digitalisation, offering a scalable, interoperable, and inclusive approach to building digital services. By focusing on foundational building blocks, DPI enables faster service rollouts, enhances competition, and protects digital rights. However, its success depends on strong governance, stakeholder collaboration, and a commitment to inclusion and security.

The World Bank’s framework provides valuable guidance for countries looking to implement DPI effectively. By learning from global experiences and prioritising key principles, governments can harness DPI to accelerate digital transformation and drive sustainable development. As DPI continues to evolve, ongoing dialogue and knowledge exchange will be essential in shaping its future and maximising its impact.

Reference

World Bank Group. (2025). Digital Public Infrastructure and Development: A World Bank Group Approach. Washington, DC: World Bank.