The digital transformation and development cooperation

The digital revolution is a defining force of our era. The opportunities are tremendous: from transforming education and healthcare, to accelerating climate action and the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals.

António Guterres UN Secretary-General

Digital technologies are changing the way we live, communicate and do business – and they are an essential tool for the global community when it comes to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations estimates that data and digital technologies play an important role in at least 70 per cent of the SDGs.

Yet more than a third of the world’s population – in particular women, girls and disadvantaged groups – still do not even have access to the internet. They are unable to benefit from global digitalisation, which puts them at a huge disadvantage.

The BMZ’s digital policy

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) pursues an international digital policy that is based on European standards and universal human rights. This policy aims to ensure that Germany’s partner countries have access to a secure, inclusive, open, global internet and are integrated into a fair data economy. Germany’s development policy activities strive for a model that is neither entirely government-based nor entirely subject to the powers of the market.

The BMZ promotes a sustainable digital transformation that conserves resources, combats hunger and poverty, helps prevent and mitigate pandemics and specifically supports women, girls and disadvantaged groups. To achieve this, the BMZ collaborates with stakeholders from politics, business, academia and civil society via the digital.global network.

The BMZ’s digital policy is guided by the ministry’s overarching goals and focuses on the following action areas.