KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The IOTA Foundation and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change have partnered to develop open and trusted digital infrastructure, focusing on inclusive trade and digital identity.
- The collaboration aims to create open-source, standards-based systems to address fragmented digital economies, initially targeting Africa with plans for global expansion.
- Key focus areas include enhancing trade ecosystems, upgrading digital infrastructure, and fostering innovation for small businesses, women, and youth.
- The partnership will support governments with practical digital tools, including the deployment of the TWIN system and traceability systems in Asia and Africa.
The IOTA Foundation and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) have announced a partnership to develop open and trusted digital infrastructure. This initiative aims to support inclusive trade, digital identity, and innovation for governments, small businesses, and underserved communities globally. The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as detailed here.
The digital systems that underpin modern economies are often fragmented and exclusionary. To address these challenges, the partnership seeks to create public goods: open-source, standards-based systems built on trust, interoperability, and shared governance. The collaboration will initially focus on Africa, with plans for global expansion.
Key Areas of Focus
The MoU outlines five primary areas of focus. These include trusted data exchange for cross-border trade, enhancing trade and supply chain ecosystems, upgrading national digital infrastructure, and developing digital identity systems. Additionally, the partnership aims to foster inclusive innovation, particularly for small businesses, women, and youth.
The IOTA Foundation brings expertise in decentralized ledger technology and real-world deployment experience. Meanwhile, TBI contributes policy knowledge and advisory partnerships with governments across Africa and beyond. Together, they aim to support forward-looking administrations and grassroots innovators with practical digital tools.
Building Systems for Global Impact
The collaboration involves co-creating use cases, developing policy guidance, and supporting governments with implementation. This includes deploying the TWIN system globally, supporting the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), and potentially implementing traceability systems in Asia and Africa.
Research and advisory work on digital identity systems will focus on reducing verification time and increasing trust in transactions. The partnership will also support governments in building digital public infrastructure, from customs systems to social benefit delivery tools.
Catherine Rimmer, CEO of TBI, emphasized the partnership’s goal of making global trade more efficient and inclusive. Dominik Schiener, Co-Founder and Chair of the IOTA Foundation, highlighted the agreement as a significant step towards delivering digital infrastructure that builds trust and empowers small businesses.
Why This Matters: Impact, Industry Trends & Expert Insights
The IOTA Foundation’s partnership with the Tony Blair Institute aims to develop digital infrastructure to support inclusive trade and innovation, focusing initially on Africa with plans for global expansion.
Recent industry reports indicate that digital identity systems are increasingly recognized as critical national infrastructure in Africa, with a rapid adoption of reusable digital IDs and wallets. This aligns with the partnership’s focus on developing digital identity systems and enhancing cross-border trade.
According to the World Economic Forum, digital public infrastructure must be accessible, safe, scalable, and trustworthy to support a widely connected society. This supports the collaboration’s goal of creating open-source, standards-based systems to foster inclusive innovation and economic growth.
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