A proposed legal framework for digitising government services has been submitted to Parliament, setting out plans to centralise state technology infrastructure, introduce secure data-sharing systems and expand public access to services through a single online platform.
The Digital Transformation Bill, submitted under the government’s “Maldives 2.0” policy, was presented on behalf of the administration by Gadhdhoo MP Mohamed Ali.
The bill seeks to establish a national digital governance framework aimed at ensuring that public services are delivered through reliable, secure and sustainable systems.
A central feature of the legislation is the proposed establishment of the Maldives Digital Service, a government agency responsible for coordinating digital transformation and governance initiatives across the state.
The agency would operate under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the responsible minister accountable to Parliament for its work. Responsibilities, rights, benefits and employees currently assigned to the ministry’s digital services division would be transferred to the new agency.
The Maldives Digital Service would manage the state’s information and communications technology services, computer networks and digital infrastructure. It would also establish technical standards for services provided by government institutions.
These standards are intended to ensure that digital services remain accessible, equitable, dependable and secure.
The bill also provides for the development of an interoperable government data ecosystem. This would include reliable institutional registries to verify the origins of information and systems enabling secure data exchange between state agencies.
The proposed agency would be headed by a Commissioner for Digital Technology appointed by the President. A Digital Governance Advisory Committee would also be formed by the responsible minister in consultation with the commissioner to advise on technical standards and the implementation of digital policies.
The legislation would establish the “Maldives 2.0” programme after it becomes law. The programme would follow a “Digital First” approach, integrating digital technology into state services and administrative operations.
A Digital Transformation Council would determine national policies relating to digital transformation and governance. Its membership would include the President, the responsible minister, the minister overseeing economic policy, the Commissioner for Digital Technology, the head of the Communications Authority and an ICT specialist appointed by the President.
The bill also requires the preparation of a Maldives 2.0 roadmap outlining the country’s medium and long-term digital transformation objectives.
Other planned measures include a secure digital identity system for transactions, a central citizen portal providing access to services from multiple government institutions, and a formal framework for secure data sharing across the state.
The proposed reforms would place the management of government technology systems and digital standards under a central institution, while creating legal requirements for the expansion and integration of online public services.
