Workshop Series

The digital economy, the fastest growing sector worldwide and a crucial driver inclusive and sustainable development, depends on digital infrastructure to support it. However, there is limited knowledge of digital infrastructure and how governments in developing countries can best support its development to gain a competitive advantage.

The four-part virtual Digital Infrastructure Introductory Workshop Series will examine digital infrastructure’s role in economic development strategies, how to prioritize and finance it, and keys to managing associated risks. Workshops in the series will feature high-level speakers, including ministers from emerging markets, distinguished scholars, private sector representatives, and development practitioners.

Certificate

Participants attending the workshop series will receive a certificate for each session.

Workshop One: The Demand for Digital Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure

This session will address different institutional and regulatory setups, including the management of data governance and cybersecurity, the lack of best practices in this field, and what has and has not worked across countries based on lessons learned. It will draw insights from the Digital Infrastructure Risk Forum and its multilateral development bank participants.

The workshop is tailored for officials of ministries of information and communications technology, digital economy, digital infrastructure, finance, planning, agriculture, and rural development and relevant regulatory authorities, particularly those from developing countries. Staff from International Financial Institutions (IFIs), digital infrastructure companies, project developers, and developing country financiers working in the sector, as well as other interested stakeholders, are also encouraged to participate.

The workshop will be held virtually. Presentations, case studies, and discussions will be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation in Spanish and French.

Participants will engage through small group discussions, quick-answer apps, and question and answer sessions at the end of each panel discussion.

Video recordings of select workshop content will be uploaded on the MCDF website.

Jointly organized by the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF), African Development Bank, CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and World Bank Group.

Ivan Rossignol, Senior Advisor on Digital Infrastructure, MCDF

If you would like to learn more about the Digital Infrastructure Introductory Workshop Series or get in touch with the IFI co-organizers, please contact MCDF’s Ms. Jenny Lou Fernandez jenny.fernandez@themcdf.org