This week's Digital Transformation Summit in Port Moresby brought together a range of stakeholders to examine how artificial intelligence, digital ID systems and government interoperability might redefine the country's next 50 years. Photo: Scott Waide
Papua New Guinea is not a country often associated with sweeping technology reforms, yet the nation appears to be standing at the edge of one of its most consequential transitions since independence.
This week's Digital Transformation Summit in Port Moresby brought together government leaders, global tech giants, provincial administrators and policy specialists to examine how artificial intelligence, digital ID systems and government interoperability might redefine the country's next 50 years.
For a nation where rugged geography, language diversity and uneven infrastructure have long complicated service delivery, the ambition on display is striking.
Rather than simply adopting more technology, PNG appears to be developing a structured, long-term digital transformation agenda - one backed by legislation, policy frameworks and coordinated national implementation.
The shift toward digital systems is also emerging as a central pillar in the country's effort to curb corruption.
Manual processes, opaque data handling, and fragmented government systems have long allowed inefficiencies and financial leakages to flourish.
A digitised, interoperable public service - with secure identity verification, audit trails and automated workflows - could help close many of the gaps that have historically enabled mismanagement.
It was against this backdrop that Prime Minister James Marape delivered one of the summit's strongest messages on the role of ICT in rebuilding trust in government.
The shift toward digital systems is also emerging as a central pillar in the country's effort to curb corruption. Photo: Scott Waide
"ICT will drive us into a merit-based society and a more efficient workforce. It will give our country the accountability and transparency our people have been demanding for years," Marape said.
Central to the government's program is the rollout of Service Pass, PNG's emerging national digital ID system.
The PNG government hopes to eventually connect foundational NID records with other government data anchors, enabling citizens to authenticate identities, access services and conduct secure transactions with far less friction.
It aims to replace the siloed systems that have historically slowed public service delivery and contributed to duplication, fraud and lost data.
Alongside the digital ID, PNG has spent the last five years constructing a policy environment capable of supporting major technological change.
The Digital Transformation Policy (2020), Digital Government Act (2022), National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy, Government Cloud Policy, and Data Governance and Protection Policy form a legislative foundation rarely seen in PNG's administrative history.
However, the real test now is implementing these frameworks nationwide.
Alongside the digital ID, PNG has spent the last five years constructing a policy environment capable of supporting major technological change. Photo: Scott Waide
Secretary Steven Matainaho, who is driving much of this work, highlighted the increasing scale of participation.
"This is a record-breaking attendance - almost 1,100 participants - and more than 300 Digital Transformation Officers who will take this work back to their districts and provinces."
International engagement has also surged.
Technology companies including Oracle, Google, AWS, SpaceX and MuleSoft are exploring opportunities in cloud services, connectivity, digital payments and clean-energy data infrastructure.
PNG's abundant hydro and geothermal resources position the country as an attractive site for energy-intensive data operations - a rare competitive advantage within the Pacific region.
Still, PNG's digital path is not without challenges.
Internet coverage remains uneven.
Public sector capacity is stretched. Digital literacy varies widely. And the success of a national digital ID depends on a level of public trust that must be rebuilt after years of dissatisfaction with government services.
Addressing these realities, the Prime Minister urged the nation to lean into - rather than retreat from - the digital era.
"Fear not - the world is already moving in this direction. Our task is to adopt secure platforms that protect our people and lift our country forward."
Despite the hurdles, there is a sense that PNG is entering a defining phase of its technological development.
The discussions at this summit suggest a country increasingly aware that the digital era will shape not just its economy, but the integrity of its institutions.
