Digital transformation was supposed to be the great equalizer—a tool to empower everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Instead, it has often served as a platform for the Ruling, Rich, and Related (3 Rs) to consolidate their power, resources, and influence. These groups dominate decision-making processes, control funding allocations, and design systems that prioritize their convenience over inclusivity. The marginalized—the true Recipients—are left behind, excluded from the benefits of a digital revolution that was meant to serve all.
This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s a systemic issue.
The Problem: How the 3 Rs Shape Digital Transformation
The 3 Rs perpetuate inequality in digital transformation through several mechanisms:
- Turf Protection: Ministries and agencies cling to their domains like feudal lords, treating digital transformation as territorial battles rather than opportunities for collaboration. This results in siloed systems that don’t communicate with one another. For example, tax authorities build isolated platforms that fail to integrate with welfare programs or healthcare systems, creating inefficiencies and fragmented services.
- Supply-Centric Systems: Digital initiatives are often designed for bureaucratic convenience rather than citizen needs. This approach disproportionately benefits the 3 Rs while excluding marginalized groups such as women, persons with disabilities, small businesses, and low-income families. These groups face new barriers to access, widening the digital divide.
- Rigid Roadmaps: Governments often rely on inflexible plans that fail to adapt to changing technologies or societal needs. Millions are poured into long-term projects doomed to irrelevance before completion. This rigidity stifles innovation and experimentation.
- Overemphasis on Technology: Policymakers focus on shiny tools and cutting-edge technologies while neglecting the human elements—political will, leadership capacity, and service delivery processes—that are essential for meaningful change.
- Overdependence on Global North Models: Many countries copy-paste digital transformation frameworks from wealthier nations without adapting them to local contexts. This “one-size-fits-all” approach fails to address the unique challenges of the Global South.
Breaking Free: From 3 Rs to Recipients
To dismantle the grip of the 3 Rs on digital transformation, we need a radical shift in mindset—one that prioritizes Recipients over elites. This is where Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) comes into play.
DPI provides reusable building blocks—digital identity systems, payment platforms, and data exchange layers—that can be combined and adapted across sectors. Unlike bespoke solutions that crumble under pressure (like Playdough), DPI is scalable, interoperable, and inclusive (like Legos).
Lessons from Around the World
Countries like Ukraine and Togo have demonstrated how DPI can bypass the influence of the 3 Rs:
- Ukraine’s Diia App: A one-stop platform for government services that integrates multiple systems seamlessly, putting citizens—not bureaucrats—at the center.
- Togo’s Novissi Program: Used AI and mobile data during COVID-19 to deliver financial aid directly to informal workers while bypassing traditional power structures.
- India’s UPI: UPI has revolutionized digital payments in India, enabling over 300 million individuals and 50 million merchants to perform seamless transactions.
These examples show how DPI can empower marginalized communities by dismantling silos and creating systems designed for people rather than power.
The Call to Action
The dominance of the Ruling, Rich, and Related in digital transformation isn’t inevitable—it’s a choice. By embracing DPI and focusing on Recipients, we can build systems that truly serve everyone.
The question is: Will we continue designing systems for convenience and control? Or will we finally create a future where technology empowers all citizens equally? The time for change is now.