Digital Decade Strategic Roadmap 2023-2030 for Malta

Strategies and Action Plans

The Digital Decade Strategic Roadmap 2023-2030 for Malta outlines a comprehensive strategy aimed at propelling Malta towards achieving the European Union’s digital targets by 2030. The strategy is multifaceted, addressing digital skills, ICT workforce development, digital infrastructure, business digitalisation, public service digitalisation, advanced technology adoption, startup growth, and citizen access to digital services. The roadmap outlines specific measures, budgets, and timelines to achieve these ambitious goals, ensuring Malta’s digital future is secure, inclusive, and innovative.

1. Digital skills

  • Objective: Ensure that at least 80% of the population aged 16-74 has basic digital skills by 2030.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • One Tablet Per Child (OTPC) Project: Provides tablets to students in Years 4-6 to ensure equitable access to digital learning.
    • Digital Skills Bootcamps: Annual bootcamps aimed at improving digital skills among youths, adults, teachers, and SMEs.
    • Malta Digital Skills and Jobs Platform: A national platform to provide resources, training, and job opportunities in digital skills.

2. ICT specialists

  • Objective: Increase the number of ICT specialists in Malta, with a focus on achieving gender balance.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • MCAST HackSpace: A project aimed at providing hands-on experience and training for ICT students.
    • Pathfinder MDIA Digital Scholarship: Scholarships for students pursuing ICT-related postgraduate degrees.

3. Digital infrastructure and connectivity

  • Objective: Ensure that all households are covered by gigabit networks and that 5G is available across Malta.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) Coverage: Expansion of gigabit connectivity through private sector investment.
    • Semiconductor Production: Boost Malta’s role in the EU semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on automotive and telecommunications sectors.

4. Digitalisation of businesses

  • Objective: Ensure that 75% of Maltese enterprises adopt cloud computing, big data, and AI technologies.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • SME Digitalisation Scheme: Financial support for SMEs to adopt digital technologies.
    • AI Applied Research Grant: Funding for research and innovation in AI applications.

5. Digitalisation of public services

  • Objective: Provide 100% online access to key public services for both citizens and businesses.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • Servizz.gov Citizen Portal: Redevelopment to enhance user experience and integrate life events into the platform.
    • myHealth Portal: The health portal will be expanded to provide comprehensive access to electronic health records.

6. Quantum computing and advanced technologies

  • Objective: Position Malta as a leader in quantum computing and other advanced technologies by 2030.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • PRISM Project: A co-funded initiative through the Digital Europe Programme to develop quantum computing infrastructure.
    • Quantum Communication: Participate in European projects to integrate quantum technologies into standard communication networks.

7. Support for startups and scale-ups

  • Objective: Foster the growth of innovative startups and double the number of unicorns in Malta.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • Venture Capital Fund: A fund to support early-stage startups in scaling up their operations.
    • Start in Malta Programme: Initiatives to attract and support international startups in establishing operations in Malta.

8. Citizen access to eID and electronic health records

  • Objective: Ensure that all citizens have secure access to electronic identification (eID) and electronic health records.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • Digital Wallet Implementation: Development of a digital wallet to store official documents and enable secure identity transactions.
    • Health Data Integration: Enhance the integration of health data across public and private healthcare providers.