Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) & Alternatives: Building Equitable Digital Commons

DPI as bridge to inclusive futures

This pillar explores the transformative potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a counterpoint to closed, proprietary "walled gardens." DPI, built on principles of openness, interoperability, and user control, offers a pathway to more equitable and inclusive digital economies.

My work makes a strong case for how DPI can empower nano and micro enterprises, particularly artisans, by providing accessible digital identity, payment systems, and data exchange mechanisms that foster genuine economic agency. Unlike extractive platforms, DPI aims to create "digital commons" where value is shared and opportunities are democratized.

I analyze frameworks like the UN's Universal Digital Public Infrastructure Safeguards Framework to understand how to design and implement DPI that truly serves the most vulnerable, promoting mobility and prosperity without creating new forms of digital captivity. This involves examining the governance, design, and adoption strategies for DPI in diverse contexts.

Key Areas of Focus:

• The foundational components of effective and inclusive DPI (identity, payments, data exchange).

• Case studies of successful DPI implementation and their impact on informal economies.

• Policy recommendations for governments and funders to support the development and adoption of equitable DPI.

• How DPI can offer artisans and small businesses alternatives to reliance on large, controlling digital platforms.