Around the world, optimism about how digitalisation can improve government performance is tempered by the disappointment of big expensive information technology (IT) 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 are pleased to be co-hosting an International Conference on Public Finance in the Digital Era in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 19-20 November. This conference will grapple with big questions including:

• What are the expectations for the management of public finances in the digital era, and what can Ministries of Finance do to meet those expectations?

• What opportunities does the broader digital transformation of government, the economy and society present for Ministries of Finance and how can they make the most of them? And what challenges do these trends present and how can they respond?

• How do Ministries of Finance in Africa want South Africa’s G-20 Presidency to shape the DPI agenda in 2025?