Page 56 - Building digital public infrastructure for cities and communities

7.6 Public procurement for scalable DPI

Strategic procurement practices are essential for the deployment of DPI that upholds open
standards and mitigates the risk of monopolistic capture. International instruments such as the
World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) and the European
Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) emphasize principles of competitive bidding, transparency
and vendor neutrality – laying the groundwork for inclusive and innovation-friendly procurement
ecosystems.

The procurement process serves as a pivotal mechanism for operationalizing digital standards,
translating policy ambitions into enforceable contractual requirements. By embedding criteria
related to open standards compliance, cybersecurity certifications, accessibility and interoperability
into tenders, public authorities can foster a diverse and agile supplier base. This not only stimulates
local innovation but also reduces long-term risks associated with vendor lock-in.

Adopting modular procurement strategies, where DPI is structured as interoperable components
such as identity, payment and data-sharing layers, enables flexible, “plug-and-play” architectures
that can be adapted to evolving policy needs. Procurement tools such as multivendor catalogues,
reference architectures and framework agreements help expedite implementation by drawing on
validated design blueprints.

International standards, spearheaded by bodies such as ITU and UNESCO, serve as foundational
pillars for DPI. They ensure that interoperability, privacy, ethics, accessibility, security and
procurement become not just ideals, but operational realities. Through embedding these standards
within governance frameworks and cross-border cooperation, cities can construct DPI that are
scalable, trustworthy and responsive to the complex needs of diverse communities.

8 Policy recommendations for city leadership and ministers

8.1 Development of an integrated national and a municipal DPI strategy

An explicit DPI strategy is essential for articulating a coherent vision and establishing a robust
governance framework that ensures interoperability, scalability and public accountability. According
to (OECD, 2024), effective DPI should encompass shared digital systems, underpinned by strong
public governance mechanisms to support inclusive and equitable service delivery. Empirical
evidence demonstrates that the creation of centralized DPI authorities significantly enhances
governance coherence and accelerates the adoption of digital technologies. Building on this model,
national and municipal governments should establish dedicated DPI agencies in a coordinated
manner, equipped with regulatory authority, stakeholder convening power, and independent
budgetary capacity.

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