tl;dr
Rwanda's government reports its $200 million Digital Acceleration Project is 55% complete, targeting full completion by 2026. Funded by the World Bank, it aims to digitalize public services, improve education, health, and agriculture through smart devices, digital literacy, and enhanced connectivity...
In Rwanda, the government reports that its Rwf280 billion ($200 million) Digital Acceleration Project is 55% complete, aiming for full completion by 2026. Sponsored by the World Bank, the initiative focuses on digitalizing public services and integrating emerging technologies to enhance education, health, and agriculture. Key components include providing smart devices to marginalized communities, implementing nationwide digital literacy programs, and improving connectivity for remote government offices, schools, and hospitals. Additionally, the project dedicates $39.3 million to boosting digital ID adoption, enabling secure remote transactions such as bank account openings through biometric-authenticated smartphone applications. Rwanda stands as a continental leader in digitalization, ranking third in the African Leapfrog Index for digital public services and first in digital readiness according to the International Data Center Authority.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the government has transitioned from physical visa documents to eVisas, a move designed to enhance security, reduce costs, and accelerate processing times. Since March of last year, over 4.3 million people have been issued eVisas, and the system officially became the digital immigration standard in July. Despite the successful rollout of eVisas, the UK’s push for digital IDs has encountered significant public distrust and political controversy. The Labour administration, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has intensified efforts to establish a digital ID to improve public services and address immigration challenges, supported by Labour MPs and intelligence figures who advocate for its benefits.
However, surveys reveal widespread skepticism among the British public about digital ID implementation. Concerns center on potential government overreach and privacy infringements, with prominent figures urging for strict oversight to prevent abuse. Past government advertising that criticized skeptics of digital ID backfired and further damaged public trust. This distrust echoes similar hesitations toward the proposed digital pound (CBDC), which the Bank of England is now reconsidering in favor of supporting private-sector digital payment solutions. The UK's public skepticism toward government initiatives ranks among the highest globally, reflecting broader challenges in fostering trust in digital transformation efforts.