Costa Rica’s digital transformation strategy (2023–2027)

Costa Rica’s digital transformation strategy (2023–2027), developed by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT), builds on two decades of digital government initiatives.

Costa Rica has pursued digital government policies since 2000, beginning with the Plan de Gobierno Digital 2002–2006 and evolving through legal and institutional reforms such as the Ley de Firmas Digitales (2005), the creation of the Secretaría Técnica de Gobierno Digital (2006), and the Código Nacional de Tecnologías Digitales (2020). The previous Estrategia de Transformación Digital Bicentenario 4.0 (2018–2022) laid the groundwork for the new plan. The current strategy builds on this trajectory, aiming to adapt public institutions, businesses, and society to the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (AI, IoT, cloud, big data, etc.)l

Legal and policy framework

The strategy rests on a strong normative base that includes:

• Ley 8454 on digital signatures and electronic documents.
• Ley 8968 on personal data protection.
• Ley 9943 (2021) creando la Agencia Nacional de Gobierno Digital.
• Decrees on open data, interoperability, cloud adoption, and government transparency.

It is also aligned with major national instruments:

• Política Nacional de Sociedad y Economía Basadas en el Conocimiento (2022–2050).
• Plan Nacional de Desarrollo de Telecomunicaciones (2022–2027).
• Plan Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (2022–2027).
• Estrategia Nacional de Ciberseguridad (2023–2027).

Methodology

The strategy was designed through collaborative and participatory work:

• Comparative study of international best practices (e.g. eLAC2024, Spain Digital).
• Consultation with more than 78 institutions from the government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
• Expert input and co-creation workshops.
• Support from the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) and ECLAC (CEPAL).
• Public consultation via MICITT’s website.

Vision, mission, and guiding principles

• Mission: to strengthen Costa Rica’s digital governance by enabling efficient, transparent, and citizen-centred services.
• Vision: a digitally inclusive Costa Rica where public institutions, businesses, and citizens leverage technology to foster competitiveness, sustainability, and social well-being.
• Principles: transparency, participation, innovation, security, inclusiveness, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Governance framework

A multi-level governance model was established, led by MICITT and the Agencia Nacional de Gobierno Digital, with oversight by inter-institutional commissions. Governance emphasises data-driven decision-making, interoperability, and continuous monitoring and evaluation.

Strategic axes

The strategy defines two main strategic axes with specific components:

1. digital citizenship
   • Digital identity and certified signature: expanding adoption and integration across services.
   • Digital services: expanding e-government services that are simple, secure, and user-centred.
   • Digital skills: training citizens, workers, and students in ICTs, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
2. good governance
   • Data governance: establishing frameworks for open data, protection, and interoperability.
   • Interoperability: ensuring systems across institutions can securely share information.
   • Updating the regulatory framework: modernising laws and standards to support digital transformation.

Monitoring and evaluation

The strategy includes mechanisms for continuous follow-up, evaluation, and possible modification, ensuring adaptability to technological change. Dissemination will be achieved through official channels, awareness campaigns, and training initiatives.

Overall significance

This strategy positions Costa Rica to:

• Strengthen its competitiveness and innovation capacity.
• Improve public service delivery and transparency.
• Enhance citizen trust in institutions.
• Align national digital policy with global standards (SDGs, OECD, eLAC2024).
• Foster digital inclusion and reduce inequalities in access and use of technology.