Digital Public Infrastructure and the Hourglass Model

This technical report discusses the concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its significance in modern societies. DPI encompasses essential services such as identity verification, payments, and data sharing, serving as the foundational digital systems for governance and market innovation. The report outlines the hourglass model for standard-setting in DPI, which features a narrow waist of core standards that support diverse applications and interconnect with various technologies. It examines successful case studies from countries like India, Brazil, and Kenya, highlighting the importance of governance, policy, and design features tailored to local contexts. The report evaluates the conditions under which standards become integral to DPI and the necessity of public-private collaboration for scalability and inclusivity. It advocates for effective standard-setting supported by robust institutional mechanisms to unlock the full potential of DPI. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of technology in sustainable development and inclusive growth.