Gates Foundation
Mark Suzman
December 2022
How we think about infrastructure for development is changing.
Beyond roads and bridges, we also need digital public infrastructure (DPI) that can support a range of applications, from mobile banking and social welfare to disease surveillance.
DPI, which is often based on open-source software, has significant potential for accelerating improvements in health and economic welfare.
We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic — countries with digital infrastructure were able to quickly send stimulus payments to their most vulnerable populations.
How we think about infrastructure for development is changing. Beyond roads and bridges, we also need digital public infrastructure (DPI) that can support a range of applications, from mobile banking and social welfare to disease surveillance.
DPI, which is often based on open-source software, has significant potential for accelerating improvements in health and economic welfare.
But how do we as funders support public and private partnerships that build DPI in a cohesive, scalable way?
Germany is among the countries taking the lead in answering this question through its newly launched digital development strategy.
At our foundation, we believe that DPI can help countries unlock new opportunities, particularly for women.
Today, we are announcing a US$20 million grant to Co-Develop, a new multi-donor fund that will support DPI efforts in low- and middle-income countries.
At our foundation, we believe that DPI can help countries unlock new opportunities, particularly for women.
Today, we are announcing a US$20 million grant to Co-Develop, a new multi-donor fund that will support DPI efforts in low- and middle-income countries.
Multi-donor funds such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have helped bring about transformative advances in global health; with Co-Develop, we can do the same for digital infrastructure.
This will help us have a massive impact on the economic mobility of women in low-income countries.
Originally published at https://www.gatesfoundation
