Inclusivity Pulse for DPI

Co-Develop and Dalberg are developing a methodology to track inclusion as countries around the world undertake digital transformation. We are focused on digital public infrastructure (DPI), which refers to foundational digital systems, such as digital identity, digital payments, and data exchange, that are essential for accessing and delivering modern public and private services. Done right, DPI is designed to be open, scalable, and inclusive, enabling access to essential services for all citizens, businesses, and governments.

If DPI reaches population scale, it has immense potential to uplift low-income and vulnerable communities by improving access to services, financial inclusion, and economic opportunities. For example, i) Nearly half of Indian residents used Aadhaar, India’s DPI for Digital ID, to access a new public program for the first time (e.g., public food distribution, public employment schemes and social pension);1 ii) During COVID-19, the Government of Singapore, as a part of the Job Support Scheme, supported vulnerable individuals and businesses through targeted wage disbursements using PayNow - Singapore's DPI for digital payments.2 However, if vulnerable communities

Individuals may face exclusion on multiple fronts:

Governments and organizations must ensure that DPI systems are designed in a way that addresses access barriers faced by marginalized groups, including those without reliable internet access, digital skills, or devices. The first step to eliminating exclusion is measuring it. Countries must understand who they are reaching, who they are leaving behind, and why those groups are unable or unwilling to use DPI.

Co-Develop and Dalberg, in collaboration with government partners and civil society organizations (CSOs), are spearheading the development of a methodology to track inclusion in the deployment of DPI. This project has two primary goals: i) To help officials actively deploying DPI gain valuable insights into the barriers to reaching population scale, and ii) To ensure that no individuals or groups are excluded from accessing and benefiting from DPI. To make this project impactful and contextually relevant, we are seeking to engage local partners, including country governments and CSOs, to create and deploy this methodology in real-world settings