Digital Public Infrastructure
Fostering an enabling environment for Digital Public Infrastructure in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) — the role of the UNCDF Policy Accelerator.
DPI That Expands Opportunity, Strengthens Governance, and Attracts Investment
Digital Public Infrastructure gives governments the tools to deliver efficient services, expand financial inclusion, and enable domestic and international investment. When its policies are coherent, harmonised, and safeguarded, DPI becomes a powerful driver of growth, turning digital identity, payments, and data systems into engines of economic opportunity.
UNCDF partners with regulators to design DPI governance that manages complex trade-offs, strengthens institutional coordination, and embeds the UN DPI Safeguards so digital systems advance national development goals safely, inclusively, and sustainably.
From Fragmented Systems to a Connected, Trusted Digital Foundation
For many governments, the starting point is not a blank slate but a tapestry of institutions, mandates, and evolving technologies. Digital ID systems may sit with civil registries, payment switches with central banks, mobile money regulation with telecom regulators, and data governance within ICT ministries. Each piece matters—but their real power emerges when they function as one.
DPI governance helps countries move from isolated systems to a connected digital foundation that supports their broader economic vision. It enables governments to deliver public services more efficiently, broaden tax and revenue collection, and deepen financial inclusion. It gives MSMEs and women-led enterprises simpler paths into the formal economy. And by embedding clear rules and safeguards, it builds the trust that investors look for when entering new markets.
Impact Signals: Governments can see clear shifts in system performance as DPI governance strengthens:
More efficient onboarding and service delivery through risk-based KYC and streamlined digital ID use.
Higher interoperability and reduced transaction costs as payment systems mature.
Improved institutional coordination demonstrated by functional cross-agency DPI working groups.
Stronger data protection and accountability practices aligned with global standards.
Increased participation of responsible private providers in digital markets.
How we drive change
A collaborative advisory pathway that helps regulators build DPI systems aligned with national priorities and global best practice.
Assess policy choices and trade-offs across the DPI ecosystem
We help regulators understand how decisions in digital ID, payments, data governance, and competition interact—so that openness, inclusion, and security remain in balance.
Strengthen coordination and harmonise public policy
We facilitate dialogue across central banks, ICT ministries, civil registration authorities, telecom and competition regulators to align mandates and create coherent DPI strategies.
Embed the UN DPI Safeguards into national frameworks
We support governments to integrate safeguards on human rights, inclusion, privacy, safety, and accountability to ensure that DPI systems remain trusted, people-centered, and resilient as they scale.
Build capacity for adaptive governance and implementation
We work with institutions to develop supervisory tools, governance structures, and monitoring systems that keep DPI responsive to market evolution and national priorities.
Policy actions we support
Harmonise payment system policies so all providers can access core infrastructure on fair and transparent terms.
Create consistent liability, redress, and accountability mechanisms aligned with the DPI Safeguards.
Develop inclusive, risk-based KYC and onboarding pathways using digital ID systems.
Strengthen cross-sector coordination frameworks to ensure digital ID, payments, and data systems evolve together.
Facilitate dialogue with the private sector, civil society, and investors to improve the quality and relevance of policy reform
Establish responsible data governance rules that support innovation while protecting rights and privacy.
Develop DPI investment and sustainability pathways that attract public and private capital.
Explore our briefs to learn about emerging topics for digital economies.
“DPI seamlessly weaves together digital data exchanges, identification systems, and payment solutions for a smarter, more connected world.”
Key topics in DPI
