This policy brief investigates the role of digital public infrastructure in driving equitable and inclusive digital transformation. As digital technologies increasingly shape global economic landscapes, the G20 must prioritise and support investment in digital public infrastructure to support digital trade, payments, green transition, and public registries. However, fragmented digital systems, limited connectivity, and regulatory deficiencies continue to pose significant barriers to harnessing the full potential of digital transformation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The research will explore innovative approaches such as scaling digital public infrastructure (DPI) by strengthening public–private partnerships for digital innovation hubs and integrating decentralised technologies like blockchain to enhance data governance, financial inclusion, and cross-border trade. It will examine case studies from G20 economies and the Global South – highlighting successful policies, investments, and technology-driven initiatives – that can serve as models for fostering digital inclusion, resilient economic systems, and sustainable development.

Additionally, the policy brief will propose governance frameworks for scalable and interoperable digital public infrastructure, aligning with the G20’s Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) priorities on digital trade, cross-border data flows, and regulatory harmonisation, as well as regional frameworks such as the AU Digital Transformation Strategy. It will explore how emerging AI regulations, cybersecurity strategies, and responsible digital governance models can be adapted to ensure equitable access to digital public technologies while upholding sovereignty and privacy concerns.

A key component of this research will be policy recommendations that promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient digital ecosystems. These will include strategies for closing the digital divide, enhancing investment in connectivity infrastructure, and developing robust data-sharing frameworks to facilitate global cooperation. Ultimately, this paper will provide G20 policymakers with actionable insights to improve digital infrastructure, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and position digital transformation as a catalyst for equitable global economic growth in an era of rapid technological advancement.