This document provides a common framework and primer on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for policymakers, practitioners, World Bank Group staff, and the broader development community. It explains DPI’s purpose, audience, practical value, and utility for readers. It serves as a guide to the core concepts and characteristics of DPI, its broader digital ecosystem, and strategies for its successful implementation.
Key Insights
Defining DPI
DPI refers to systems that serve as foundational, digital building blocks for public benefit. Systems built as DPI can comprise a variety of digital software, platforms, APIs, and services, along with their related legal and regulatory frameworks, standards, policies, and processes.
Digital Identity & Electronic Signatures
Identity and electronic signatures (e-signatures) are key ingredients in establishing online digital trust. Digital identity answers the question “with whom am I interacting?” E-signatures help answer the question “is this document or transaction (legally) valid?” and “did this person authorize this transaction?”
Digital Payments
Digital payments enable more secure, convenient, interoperable, and cashless transactions. They allow individuals, businesses, and governments to transfer money easily and securely.
Data Sharing
Digital systems for sharing data can help optimize the flow and reuse of data in the digital economy, particularly across sectors. This includes protecting data that should not be shared, while simultaneously removing constraints that result in suboptimal data flows.
Whole-of-Society Approach
“The paradigm shift” toward DPI can only be realized with a whole-of-society approach (World Bank 2024a). Breaking down silos and thinking about horizontal building blocks requires continuous coordination across government entities, including digital agencies, line ministries, and regulators; participation and collaboration of the private sector; and regular engagement with CSOs, the public, and other stakeholders.
Prioritizing safety and inclusion
Embedding data protection, security, and accessibility into the design of DPI systems. This includes robust legal and regulatory frameworks, privacy-enhancing technologies, and proactive engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs).
Focusing on outcomes, not technology
Adopting a use-case or service-design approach, starting with a thorough assessment of needs and prioritizing impactful applications.
Key Statistics & Data
- Countries with existing DPIs were able to provide emergency assistance faster and reach three times more beneficiaries compared to countries without DPIs (World Bank 2022b).
- As of 2024, only 96 economies had fully operational e-signatures, of which 69 were high-income or upper middle-income countries.
- Brazil: The cooperative banking sector experienced a substantial growth of active credit users due to PIX (Banco Central do Brasil (2023)).
Methodology
The paper draws on existing work, including the World Bank’s Digital Progress and Trends Report (World bank 2024a), World Development Reports on digital and data (World Bank 2016 & 2021a), and other related efforts.
Implications and Conclusions
The availability of high-quality shared digital building blocks can significantly improve efficiency and reduce costs of government and private sector service providers, accelerating the development of new services. DPIs are key enablers of digital transformation because it facilitates easier integration, interoperability, and efficient delivery of critical public services.
Key Points
- DPI is an approach to digitalization focused on creating 'foundational, digital building blocks designed for the public benefit.'
- Common systems built as DPIs include digital identity and electronic signatures, digital payments, and data sharing.
- DPI emphasizes shared, reusable building blocks, fostering whole-of-society collaboration, and embedding core principles such as openness, interoperability, data protection, and user choice.
- COVID-19 pandemic underscored the value of DPI, demonstrating that countries with existing DPIs were able to deliver emergency assistance faster and more effectively.
- Successful DPI implementation requires a multi-faceted approach: prioritizing safety and inclusion, focusing on outcomes, not technology, and putting users at the center.
- By leveraging the opportunities presented by DPI, countries can accelerate their digital transformation journeys and achieve more inclusive and sustainable development.