1.7.2025 Publications

Review Report: Digital and Development

The Digital and Development Review examines how Finland has supported digitalisation through its development policy and cooperation between 2018 and 2024, and what impact this support has had on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review provides an overview of achievements, challenges, and future recommendations regarding Finland’s role in international digital development.

The aim of the review was to examine the results achieved so far and generate insights into the future directions of Finland’s digital development cooperation. The focus was on multilateral and EU-based cooperation. The analysis was based on document reviews, interviews, comparative studies, and foresight approaches.

Finland’s strength lies in its long-term commitment to digital development. The review shows that Finland’s support has been relevant in promoting SDGs, in particular gender equality, economic growth, and infrastructure development. Key contributions include support for UN and EU initiatives, such as the Global Tunisian school girls by a computer with their teacher.
Digital Compact and Global Gateway. Finland has played a strong role in multilateral advocacy, promoting its priorities, such as gender equality and inclusion, through international partnerships and initiatives like the Generation Equality campaign. Those themes have been promoted also at country-level, for example, in the digitalisation of Ethiopia’s rural land cadastre.

Finnish expertise has been effectively leveraged through institutions such as HAUS, Finnish Institute of Public Management and Finnfund. However, challenges remain in mobilising SMEs and increasing Finland’s visibility in multilateral cooperation. There is also a need to improve investment instruments and funding models. The review recommends a more targeted strategy, mainstreaming digital development, enhancing incentives for Finnish actors, building an international brand, and strengthening strategic dialogue and collaboration.

Review Report

Digital and Development - Review of efforts of Finland's development policy and cooperation in accelerating inclusive digitalisation (PDF, 121 pages, 3.1 MB)

Summary

Wired for Change - Reviewing Finland’s role in advancing inclusive digitalisation (PDF, 4 pages, 285 KB)

Material from the presentation event

Presentation by the Review Team, 5 June 2025 (PDF, 33 pages, 124 KB)