UNCDF

Learning Best Practices for Building Inclusive Digital Economies

From May 16 to 20, 2022, government representatives from Ethiopia and Malawi visited Uganda and Rwanda to learn best practices on the implementation of digital transformation strategies to build inclusive digital economies. Supported by the UN Capital Development Fund’s (UNCDF) DFS4Resilience Programme, which is funded by the European Commission and Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the programme deploys digital finance solutions at scale to deepen financial inclusion, making economies and societies more resilient to external shocks.

Government representatives from Malawi and Ethiopia had an opportunity to hear first-hand how the Uganda Ministry of ICT used IDES on their digital inclusion and digital transformation journey.

In Uganda the delegation learned how the country, led by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, uses the Inclusive Digital Economy Scorecard (IDES), a tool developed by UNCDF and like-minded partners, to plan and set national priorities.

In Uganda the delegation learned how the country, led by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, uses the Inclusive Digital Economy Scorecard (IDES), a tool developed by UNCDF and like-minded partners, to plan and set national priorities.

IDES TOOL IS ABOUT PEOPLE AND NOT JUST DATA.

OTHER COUNTRIES ARE IMPLEMENTING IDES AND THAT IS ENCOURAGING BECAUSE IT MEANS IT IS DOABLE AND BENEFICIAL.

UNCDF IS DOING A GOOD JOB IN MEASURING THE DIGITAL ECONOMY USING INDICATORS SUCH AS INFRASTRUCTURE, SKILLS, POLICY AND REGULATION AND INNOVATION, AND THIS HAS HELPED UGANDA KNOW WHERE IT IS AND IN IDENTIFYING GAPS TO IMPROVE.

 

Rwanda has been leading the way for many years in digital transformation in Africa, therefore, the visit to the country allowed the delegation to see – firsthand – the impact of digitalization on the lives of the citizenry and how a holistic, comprehensive approach to digitalization ensures that no one is left behind.

UGANDA IS TRYING AND RWANDA IS IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION. DIGITAL INCLUSION IS AN OBJECTIVE THAT EVERY AFRICAN COUNTRY CAN ACHIEVE IF IT PAYS ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING: POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES AT THE RIGHT TIME AND COMMITMENT AND DISCIPLINE.

The insights and learnings are crucial for Ethiopia and Malawi as both countries work to deepen digital inclusion and develop their digital transformation strategies.

Learn more about UNCDF’s work to build inclusive digital economies

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