: Digital Transformation

GIZ understands digital transformation as the global and dynamic structural change triggered by digitalisation. This process of change influences political, economic and social spheres of life and enables sustainable societies.

The taks of shaping the digital transformation

The digital transformation offers many opportunities for international cooperation. It holds considerable potential for increasing economic prosperity, improving social participation and driving forward the transition to a climate-neutral society. At the same time, shaping the digital transformation in line with these development goals is very demanding. There are sometimes tensions between these goals because, for example, economic productivity through digital technologies can mean higher resource and energy consumption. In addition, suitable regulatory and non-regulatory framework conditions are required in order to tap into the potential of the digital transformation and minimize its risks. A key design task is therefore to strike a balance between economic performance, social justice, and environmental sustainability. In addition, states are faced with the challenge of maintaining their ability to act (digital sovereignty) in the digital transformation and avoiding one-sided dependencies, for example in key technologies or critical infrastructures.

Dealing with opportunities and risks of the digital transformation

By specifically considering the opportunities and risks of digital transformation, GIZ identifies opportunities for international cooperation and develops context-adapted solutions in the form of specific projects. There many different ways of devising such solutions. They cover a wide range of areas and extend from the implementation of technological solutions to support in the development of digital strategies. For example, digital technologies in agriculture can help to increase yields and make production more climate-friendly through more targeted use of resources. Digital networking also enables better access to services in areas such as education and healthcare. Freely available and publicly accessible digital resources can also strengthen social participation. At the same time, GIZ's projects ensure that exclusionary tendencies in the digital world are reduced and that the impact on the environment and raw materials is minimized. 

GIZ uses a variety of tried-and-tested, cross-sectoral approaches, instruments and solutions to implement effective development cooperation projects. The aim is to strengthen partners in their ability to shape the digital transformation in an inclusive and sustainable manner. Capacity building plays an important role in identifying regulatory requirements and shaping an appropriate political framework for the digital transformation. A multi-level approach at national, regional and international level and multi-stakeholder partnerships between the state, private sector, civil society, media and academia is often an important instrument for achieving those results.

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Digital Policy

Digital policy serves the purpose of creating appropriate conditions for digital transformation. GIZ supports its partners in implementing a value-based digital policy that aligns the digital transformation with the goals of sustainable development.
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Data-Driven Solutions

Data offers the potential to promote sustainable development in GIZ's partner countries. Through the competent use and evaluation of data, processes can be supported sustainably and efficiently.
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Digital Competences

The digital transformation has far-reaching global effects on political, social and economic processes and changes the way we live and work together. To be part of this change, digital competences are needed.
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Agile methods

Originally used in IT, agile methods of process management offer a degree of transparency that can also be used in international cooperation.
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Digital Public Goods

Digital public goods (DPG) can be open-source software, open data, open artificial intelligence models, open standards and open content. In principle, thse DPGs are non-rival and non-exclusive.