Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is increasingly a government investment priority worldwide. It refers to the shared, interoperable digital building blocks that enable trusted identification, seamless payments, secure data exchange, and interoperability across public and private services. As DPI ecosystems mature, cross-border and regional use cases are also emerging as an important next frontier.  

This report, developed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in collaboration with Dalberg Advisors, provides an overview of the digital development landscape in South Asia, with a focus on DPI and its enablers across ADB’s six developing member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. While all six countries have advanced connectivity, digital government platforms, and data hosting capacity to varying degrees, their overall readiness and DPI maturity vary significantly.  The analysis applies two complementary frameworks in each country, first, assessing the broader state of digitalization, including the enabling environment and institutional readiness, and second, evaluating DPI maturity across foundational and sectoral layers. 

The report identifies opportunities to advance DPI adoption and regional cooperation, with steps such as agreeing on shared technical standards, using ready-made legal templates, and introducing certification systems to ensure quality and trust. 

Read the full report here: DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE: LANDSCAPE AND OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH ASIA