Brazil’s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2022-2026

The Brazilian Digital Transformation Strategy (E-Digital) for the cycle 2022-2026 outlines a comprehensive approach to leveraging digital technologies to foster sustainable economic and social development. It builds upon the foundations laid by the previous E-Digital strategy (2018-2022) and addresses new challenges in a post-pandemic, increasingly digital world.

Key Components of the Strategy

1. Infrastructure and Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
   • Objective: Expand access to quality internet services across Brazil, including remote areas, ensuring that the digital infrastructure meets the needs of both urban and rural populations.
   • Actions:
     • Bringing high-capacity data networks to all municipalities.
     • Expanding mobile and fixed broadband access.
     • Strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors to promote connectivity and digital inclusion.
2. Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I)
   • Objective: Foster the development of new technologies and solutions tailored to national challenges, ensuring Brazil’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
   • Actions:
     • Promoting public and private investment in key sectors such as AI, IoT, and cybersecurity.
     • Enhancing the legal frameworks to facilitate technological development.
     • Supporting startups and SMEs in their innovation efforts.
3. Trust in the Digital Environment
   • Objective: Ensure that Brazil’s digital ecosystem is secure, reliable, and conducive to digital transactions, while respecting citizens’ rights.
   • Actions:
     • Strengthening mechanisms to protect privacy and personal data.
     • Enhancing cybersecurity through collaboration between the government, private sector, and international bodies.
     • Promoting legal and regulatory frameworks that ensure the safety of digital services and data.
4. Education and Professional Training
   • Objective: Prepare Brazilian society for the digital world by enhancing education and professional training in ICT.
   • Actions:
     • Expanding access to broadband in schools and integrating digital technologies into education.
     • Promoting technical training focused on skills required in the digital economy.
     • Supporting teachers with the tools and training needed for digital instruction.
5. International Dimension
   • Objective: Strengthen Brazil’s leadership in global digital forums and promote the competitiveness of Brazilian companies in the international digital economy.
   • Actions:
     • Engaging in international cooperation and integration efforts related to digital economy policies.
     • Supporting the global expansion of Brazilian digital businesses.
     • Promoting regional cooperation to develop a cohesive digital economy within Latin America.

Digital Transformation Axes

1. Digital Transformation of the Economy
   • Focuses on creating a data-driven economy, fostering the proliferation of connected devices, and supporting the growth of new business models in the digital age. This axis includes policies to promote investment in telecommunications infrastructure, improve data-handling capacities, and ensure a regulatory environment conducive to innovation.
2. Digital Transformation of Government and Citizenship
   • Aims to modernise public services through digital platforms, enhance citizen access to government information, and promote the integration of government databases. The goal is to deliver more efficient, transparent, and accessible services to the public.

Key Challenges Addressed

The strategy addresses multiple challenges that have emerged in recent years, including:

• Digital Inclusion: Bridging the gap in internet access between urban and rural areas, and ensuring vulnerable populations have access to digital services.
• Geopolitical and Economic Challenges: Navigating instabilities in global supply chains for digital goods and mitigating risks to privacy and cybersecurity.
• Regulatory and Legal Frameworks: Updating Brazil’s legal infrastructure to accommodate rapid technological change, particularly around data protection, privacy, and innovation.