Sri Lanka has announced an ambitious national push to accelerate digital transformation in 2026, backed by 30 billion Sri Lankan rupees ($98 million) in new budget allocations. President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the budget marks a decisive shift toward a fully digital government, with a strong focus on improving service delivery, operational efficiency, and transparency.
The largest share of funding will support the Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) program, alongside major upgrades to the e-Grama Niladhari system and the Digital Economy Advancement Program. Investments are also set to expand electronic procurement, e-payment systems, and revenue administration modernization through enhanced inter-agency data integration.
Sri Lanka will simultaneously upskill public officials with digital competencies needed to operate next-generation systems. This follows earlier investments in blockchain and AI, signaling the country’s long-term commitment to emerging technologies and digital public infrastructure.
Across the region, Southeast Asian economies are accelerating digital modernization. Vietnam and Malaysia have launched wide-scale initiatives, although Malaysia faces digital talent shortages. Climate concerns are rising as AI chip manufacturing expands.
Meanwhile in West Africa, Togo is undergoing a major digital overhaul. The Ministry of Energy and Mines is digitizing 31 services across five agencies to reduce manual processes, enhance transparency, and make public services easier for citizens. The Ministry of Public Service Efficiency and Digital Transformation will oversee implementation, supported by local telecom operator Yas, the Togo Digital Agency, and Cyber Defense Africa. The initiative aligns with Togo’s goal to digitize over 70% of government processes by 2025 and move toward near-total digitalization by 2030.
Across West Africa, momentum is growing. Nigeria is embracing stablecoins and AI adoption, Ghana’s digital payments have surged to $280 billion, and Senegal is seeking development funding for its national digital transformation agenda.
