In depth

Closing the digital divide 

As of early 2025, approximately 80% of Moldova's population are internet users. However, disparities in access quality and affordability persist across socio-economic groups, geographical locations, and genders. Notably, 71% of the wealthiest Moldovan households own computers, compared to only 35% of the poorest households. Although Moldova offers some of the lowest average costs for mobile data, the absence of broadband networks and last-mile connectivity hinders rural populations from fully engaging in digital activities.

Efforts to address these challenges focus on expanding infrastructure, improving affordability, and strengthening digital skills. UNDP, in partnership with national and international actors, supports the modernization of schools nationwide, including those in the Găgăuzia region and left bank of Nistru River, providing digital equipment such as desktop computers, laptops, smartboards, projectors, portable Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) laboratory devices, and tablets. This initiative aims to future-proof students, teachers, and school managers by enhancing their digital competencies early in their educational and professional journeys. To achieve this goal, UNDP collaborates with programs and organizations like “Tekwill in Every School”, Future Classroom, development partners, and other leaders in this field in Moldova.

Additionally, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, UNDP has created opportunities for refugee children and women to familiarize themselves with STEAM disciplines and acquire tech skills, promoting their integration and empowerment. Furthermore, UNDP Moldova has implemented digital literacy programs in partnership with the Moldovan Association of ICT Companies. These initiatives aim to bridge the digital divide by equipping participants with essential skills, such as English for IT and fostering greater inclusion in Moldova's rapidly growing ICT sector.

These concerted efforts are integral to closing the digital divide in Moldova, ensuring equitable access to digital resources and opportunities for all people, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location.

From e-Governance to digital government

In September 2023, the Republic of Moldova approved the Digital Transformation Strategy for 2023-2030, developed with the support of UNDP, marking a significant shift from traditional e-Governance to a comprehensive digital government framework. This strategy aims to develop an accessible, safe, transparent, and inclusive digital society and economy, aligning with the European integration agenda and focusing on people needs. 

The launch of the EVO application in 2024 represents a major step toward integrated service delivery, combining digital identity, document storage, and access to public services within a single platform. Moldova has also introduced biometric eID cards to expand secure access to digital services. Digital public infrastructure continues to scale, with widespread use of platforms such as MPass, MSign, MConnect, and MNotify. Moldova has set an ambitious objective to become a fully digital state by 2030. 

Moldova's commitment to digital transformation has been recognized internationally. In the 2024 United Nations E-Government Survey, Moldova moved from the high to the very high E-Government Development Index group, ranking 69th globally, reflecting substantial improvements in online services, telecommunication infrastructure, and human capital.

As digitalization expands, Moldova has strengthened its cybersecurity framework. The establishment of the Agency for Cybersecurity (2024) and the adoption of a National Cybersecurity Law aligned with the EU NIS2 Directive (2025) represent key milestones.  Moldova has also benefited from EU-level support mechanisms, including deployment of cybersecurity assistance. In September 2025, Moldova became the first EU candidate country to benefit from a deployment of the EU’s Cybersecurity Reserve Unit, protecting its critical infrastructure ahead of parliamentary elections — a milestone that underscores the direct link between digital resilience and democratic integrity on Moldova’s EU accession path.

UNDP has been a consistent partner across this digital government journey: supporting the development of EVO's digital wallet module, equipping the Public Services Agency with biometric registration kits to serve underserved communities and diaspora, facilitating cybersecurity audits across state-owned energy companies, and supporting the establishment of the first Cyber Security Operations Center in energy sector. 

Expanding digital transformation across key sectors

UNDP Moldova is extending digital transformation efforts beyond governance into social protection, energy, agriculture, cybersecurity, and elections.

In partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, UNDP is supporting the comprehensive redesign and digitalization of social assistance services. This includes integrated digital architecture, a Digital Center of Social Innovation, and regional Territorial Agencies for Social Assistance, with a focus on inclusion and data-informed service delivery.

In the energy sector, UNDP supports the Ministry of Energy in advancing a just and inclusive transition through Moldova’s Energy Innovation and Technology Sandbox. UNDP supports pilot initiatives like smart meters and renewable energy communities.

In agriculture, UNDP partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry to pilot the Digital National Farmers Registry to track land use, farm operations, and subsidies in real time. Complementary actions include piloting land parcel information system and use of AI tools, developing the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) roadmap, and enhancing legal and institutional frameworks.

In elections, UNDP works with the Central Electoral Commission to enhance electoral integrity and inclusiveness. Support includes IT infrastructure upgrades, remote voting for the diaspora, improved polling station accessibility, and digital civic education platforms.

In justice and law enforcement, UNDP has supported the modernization of digital public infrastructure and introduced or improved internal information systems and processes in various public sectors. These range from transparent democratic participation and decision making (e-Parliament, Elections Information System), to efficient and merit-based management of human capital in the public sector (e-recruiting system for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, e-admission and e-testing of future judges and prosecutors at the National Institute of Justice) or health services delivery (digital platform for video supported treatment of people on opioid substitution treatment, informational system for the management of health procurement needs). Furthermore, UNDP is currently assisting the digital transformation efforts of forensic institutions, police services and the legal aid system by introducing e-case management systems and enabling the digital delivery of core functions by rule-of-law institutions.

Data for policy

Advancing digital transformation in Moldova has generated substantial data, creating valuable opportunities to improve decision-making and governance. One notable example is the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund (EVRF), established in response to the 2022 energy crisis. Developed with UNDP support, the EVRF was implemented using a streamlined enrolment process that relied on administrative data and required minimal input from applicants. By employing data analytics, the government can refine its vulnerability criteria and optimize support measures. As a result, the digitalization of social protection through the EVRF has enabled targeted assistance to vulnerable households, reducing energy and income poverty while helping to prevent food insecurity.

Following this experience, UNDP is working to create a Data Governance Framework to provide standards and best practices on how data must be collected, processed, verified and validated. It will ensure that data collected is accurate, trustworthy, safe, secure and compatible for exchange on a national and cross-border level, especially in the fields of health, agriculture, social security, and justice. In alignment with UNDP's Data Principles—which emphasize responsible data management, safeguarding personal data and promoting reusability and interoperability—the framework seeks to empower stakeholders to work effectively with data while upholding the highest ethical standards.

Additionally, UNDP has launched the Data to Policy Training initiative, designed to equip policymakers with the skills to leverage data for informed decision-making. This programme focuses on framing policy problems, mapping data ecosystems and understanding data governance concepts, thereby enhancing the capacity of government officials to utilize data effectively in policy development. 

Data Intelligence Unit

Positioned within the Prime Minister’s Office, UNDP-supported Data Intelligence Unit facilitates both tactical and strategic decision-making. The unit has made progress in enhancing transparency in public procurement, improving social care, increasing tax collection efficiency, and assessing rural development programmes.

Current focus areas include using data intelligence in policy development, particularly for EU negotiations, energy vulnerabilities, public sector finance management, and accelerating a just energy transition. UNDP Moldova also prioritizes enhancing digital literacy and promoting data-driven decision-making among public sector employees through training sessions. These efforts aim to improve Moldova’s business environment and national competitiveness.

Digital literacy for a digital society

To foster a digitally inclusive society in Moldova, UNDP is actively working to enhance digital literacy across all demographics, irrespective of gender, age, education level, or income. Recognizing the necessity for citizens to possess at least basic digital skills to effectively utilize electronic public services and adapt to the evolving job market, UNDP has initiated several programmes aimed at bridging the digital divide.

In collaboration with development partners, UNDP aims to modernize Moldova's education system by creating inclusive and modern learning environments, thereby equipping students and educators with essential digital competencies.

Broader efforts also include public sector training, and targeted programmes to increase digital participation. These initiatives aim to ensure that digital transformation translates into tangible benefits for all citizens.

Women in STEAM

The digital divide is also affecting girls and women. Because demand for workers in STEAM occupations is only expected to grow in the future, governments and communities cannot afford to deny half of humanity the opportunity to succeed in this high-growth sector. Globally, between 40 million and 160 million women will need to change occupations by 2030 into more skilled roles requiring complex digital, cognitive, social, and emotional skills. 

Moldova has seen notable progress in women's participation in ICT, though significant gaps remain. Based on the latest available official data (2022-2024 depending on indicator), women now make up approximately 34% of the country's ICT workforce in 2022, up from 31% reported in 2019, though they hold only around 21% of technical roles within the sector. The share of women university graduates in ICT has risen to 26% in 2023, up from 22% in 2017, though women continue to be underrepresented in STEAM fields more broadly. The gender pay gap in the IT sector reached approximately 38% in 2020, significantly exceeding the economy-wide unadjusted gender pay gap of in 2024.

UNDP Moldova is supporting women’s and girls’ integration in the field of science and technology, particularly promoting STEAM-based education. UNDP’s initiatives are implemented with the direct involvement of academia, schools, civil society organisations, media and parents to increase students’ interest in STEAM education. This has resulted in, for example, about 50% women participation in the “Tekwill in Every School” Programme. 

UNDP Moldova is also supporting women entrepreneurs, providing funding opportunities for women to establish and grow their businesses, including in ICT. Successful examples include women working in agri-tech (digitalization of agriculture) and cybersecurity. 

Private sector engagement 

UNDP Moldova recognizes the pivotal role of the private sector in advancing digital governance and accelerating the transitioning to a fully digital government - one of the six objectives laid out in the Strategy for Digital Transformation of the Republic of Moldova for 2023-2030 developed with the support of UNDP Moldova. To foster this transformation, UNDP has established platforms for dialogue between the government, private sector, and international partners, promoting a shared vision for digital development. These collaborative efforts have contributed to the creation of a comprehensive ‘Whole-of-Society’ approach to digital transformation, emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

To facilitate private-sector engagement, UNDP has initiated several Innovation Challenge Schemes aimed at enabling ICT companies and start-ups to develop innovative digital solutions. Since 2021, UNDP Moldova has supported the development of innovative digital solutions in govtech, fintech, e-commerce, agri-tech, education technology, data governance, and digital identity- reinforcing Moldova’s position as an emerging hub for digital innovation in the region.

Artificial intelligence governance 

Moldova has moved decisively to embed artificial intelligence governance into its national digital strategy. In July 2024, the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization approved the White Book on AI and Data Governance, setting out a vision for responsible AI development, data governance standards, and policy frameworks aligned with EU regulations.

A landmark step followed in October 2025, when the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking selected Moldova to host FAIMA – the AI Factory Antenna from Moldova – one of only 13 such antennas across Europe. FAIMA will connect Moldova to the European supercomputing network. The initiative will be hosted at the Technical University of Moldova. Through FAIMA, researchers, startups, SMEs, and public institutions will gain direct access to AI-optimised supercomputing resources, secure data infrastructure, and advanced AI services focused on priority sectors including agriculture, healthcare, and public administration.

UNDP has supported Moldova’s AI readiness through its broader data governance and policy development work and continues to engage with authorities to support the operationalisation of this framework, including the development of governance instruments and testing environments that will enable public institutions to responsibly pilot AI-driven services.