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Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is a set of foundational digital systems that forms the backbone of modern societies. DPI enables secure and seamless interactions between people, businesses and governments.
From verifying identities to opening bank accounts, ensuring fast and reliable digital payments to enabling safe and efficient data exchange across government services — DPI can make everyday life more connected and inclusive.
UNDP is at the forefront of supporting countries in designing, implementing and governing their DPI. By fostering safe, fair and interoperable digital systems, UNDP helps countries accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, with DPI playing a key role.
Unpacking DPI: Storytelling and knowledge-sharing
Thinking about DPI
Just as roads and railways connect people to jobs, services and opportunities, digital infrastructure enables access to the essential systems that shape daily life. Yet, unlike physical infrastructure, access to digital systems is often fragmented and unequal, leaving many without the tools they need to thrive. This means people cannot open a bank account, access social benefits or prove their identity.
Today, infrastructure is as much digital as it is physical. For example, a well-designed digital identification system can be used to distribute social benefits, enable voter registration or provide secure access to banking. For this multi-purpose approach to work, it must be inclusive, interoperable and governed for the public good.
Moving from fragmented systems to shared digital infrastructure requires more than new software. It demands improved governance, funding and institutional responsibilities.
UNDP is the leading development agency within the United Nations and is uniquely positioned to support this transformation. With a presence in 170 countries and a global network of 22,000 experts, we work hand-in-hand with governments, businesses and civil society to implement DPI that is safe, inclusive and impactful. We help channel expertise and resources where they are needed most, for DPI that serves all of us.
Global DPI Programmes
The Universal DPI Safeguards Framework sets out key principles, practices and processes to help practitioners and policymakers build safer and more inclusive DPI.
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The Open Source Ecosystem Enabler (OSEE) is an initiative that strengthens national digital capacity through open source programme offices (OSPOs) that accelerate public service delivery.
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DPI OFFERINGS
UNDP has designed a number of strategic resources to support governments on their DPI journeys.
What’s trending in DPI: Insights from our experts
Learn more about the work of UNDP in countries and our reflections on emerging trends in the DPI space.
Elevating global voices and perspectives
How UNDP is shaping the future of safe DPI for all
Partners and coalitions
UNDP is taking a whole-of-society approach to designing and implementing DPI, fostering impact-driven partnerships with diverse players
The 50-in-5 Campaign is a country-led advocacy campaign to design, launch and scale DPI in 50 countries within five years. Since the campaign began in 2023, UNDP has been a proud supporter and coordinating partner in this work.
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Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that helps discover and deploy open source technology and has a global ecosystem of stewards of these public goods. UNDP was an early supporter of the DPGA and is an active member of its governing board.
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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations thought leader on information and communication technologies. UNDP collaborates with ITU to jointly deliver the Open Source Ecosystem Enabler initiative, as well as the United Nations ‘Open Source United’ movement.
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The 2024 Global DPI Summit gathered DPI stakeholders to shape the technology, policy frameworks and implementation models that are transforming public infrastructure. UNDP was a co-host of the event along with other United Nations partners, the Government of Egypt, Co-Develop, and the World Bank.
Together with partners at Amazon Web Services and Public Digital, UNDP helps organize the annual Future of Government Awards. This programme champions the individuals and organizations hard at work applying digital solutions to transform the public sector.
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GovStack is a collaborative network working to ensure everyone can access government services using trusted digital technology. UNDP is a member of the GovStack Advisory Board.
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The University of the West Indies St. Augustine (UWI-STA) is a key partner of UNDP and the host of the Open Source Programme Office (OSPO) in Trinidad and Tobago. Supported by the OSEE initiative, the OSPO will drive open innovation and digital transformation.
The Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI) helps countries design and implement open, population-scale digital systems—such as digital ID, payments, and data exchange. UNDP is a member of CDPI’s Advisory Board.