We strengthen the capacities of government institutions, civil society organisations and other partners worldwide to make digital governance and regulation fair, inclusive and sustainable and thus promote the responsible use of digital technologies. We are guided by the EU’s human rights-based approach and the digital principles for sustainable development.
Making digital transformation fair
Digitalisation is changing the relationship between state and society. We support partner countries of German international cooperation in making digital transformation fair, secure and inclusive – in the interests of good governance, democratic participation and people-centred development.
We support:
- Legal, regulatory and political framework conditions for digital transformation
- The development of digital skills in governments and civil society
- The development of inclusive digital services and solutions.
Developing political strategies together
A successful digital policy needs participation. We support our partner countries in ensuring that their political strategies and processes take everyone’s interests into account and are as inclusive as possible. At the same time, we develop the necessary knowledge to make digital strategies effective.
Digital policy should be shaped in the interests of society as a whole. We therefore involve a wide range of stakeholders, including
- Policy-makers
- The private sector
- Civil society
- The scientific and academic community
- Disadvantaged groups.
Example of AI strategy: Kenya and Ghana
In Kenya and Ghana, we supported the national digitalization ministries and regulatory authorities in developing national AI strategies. The strategies are tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of the two countries and are based on global AI governance principles. The targeted involvement of civil society ensured that risks posed by AI to marginalized groups, for example, were taken into account in the strategies.
Digital inclusion
Digital transformation will only succeed if everyone is involved.
We are committed to ensuring that all population groups, including people with disabilities, women and rural population groups, have equal access to digital government services – for example in education, health care and the financial sector.
Example of inclusive digital transformation: Rwanda
In Rwanda, we supported the government in developing a chatbot during the COVID-19 pandemic. It distributed reliable information about the virus, worked without an internet connection and could therefore also be used by citizens in rural areas.
Opinion formation and participation in the digital space
As digital technologies rapidly gain in importance, more and more political and social debates and decision-making are taking place online. Political communication and opinion formation are also increasingly shifting to the digital space.
We strengthen the capacities of governments, civil society, and the media to deal with disinformation and shape the relevant policy framework. At the same time, we promote formats for digital participation to enable inclusive democratic discourse in the digital space.
Example of disinformation: InfoTrustAllianceMoldova
On behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office, GIZ is supporting the Moldovan government in strengthening society's resilience to disinformation. In particular, we are promoting coordination between government agencies and cooperation with civil society, as well as the cross-border exchange of experiences in the Baltic states, Ukraine, and Romania.
Strengthening digital sovereignty
Digital sovereignty means that states can control and shape their digital infrastructures, data flows, and technologies independently, securely, and in accordance with their own laws, values, and strategic interests. We support our partner countries in strengthening their digital sovereignty in a manner consistent with human rights.
Digital rules can only succeed through joint action by policy-makers, the private sector, the scientific and academic community and civil society.
We promote this dialogue systematically – regionally and internationally – for fair digital solutions that are appropriate to the context.
Insights
This project focuses on the following GIZ work priorities:
The project contributes to these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations: