Around the world, optimism about how digitalisation can improve government performance is tempered by the disappointment of expensive technology failures. Nonetheless, the digital era has raised people’s expectations of their governments, and the emergence of digital public infrastructure (DPI) on the global development agenda continues to fuel these expectations.

Meeting these expectations will take more than simply adopting the latest technologies. It will require new ways of thinking and working across government. Ministries of Finance have a key role to play, not just in bringing the management of public finances into the digital era, but also in supporting and responding to the broader digital transformation of government, the economy and society.

The Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI) and ODI Global co-hosted an International Conference on Public Finance in the Digital Era in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 19-20 November.

This conference presented an opportunity for finance, digital, and development leaders to:

(i) Share their experience and views on using digital tools to improve financial management and service delivery; and

(ii) Consider the broader role of the finance ministry in the digital transformation of government, the economy, and society, and how they can play that role effectively at the national level, and through regional and global initiatives.