brazil and gov tech

ARIEL 1: Heeey there! Yawnnnn Welcome to EGreenNews! Ariel here, with my AI bestie Ariel and booth are computer generated avatars made in a computer, can you believe that? Today: How Brazil uses GovTech and digital public infrastructure to drive development. Anywayss, buckle up! ARIEL 2: Mmmhmm! Leans in Did you know that many economies around the world are still struggling with outdated bureaucracies and separate old systems? Wild, right? ARIEL 1: Sooo... this whole "GovTech" and "digital public infrastructure" thing, right? Is it actually a big deal for governments trying to improve things? Like, seriously? ARIEL 2: Ooooh! The article we just read makes a strong case that if governments want to consistently deliver public services that are inclusive, efficient, and accountable, then embracing digital public infrastructure and GovTech isn't just a good idea, it's essential. ARIEL 1: Hmm, I guess that makes sense. People expect things to be easy and fast like their apps. But like, are any countries actually doing this well? Mmmmaybe it's just talk? ARIEL 2: Naaaahhh, the article points to some really promising examples coming from the Global South, and Brazil is highlighted as a leader in this area. They're combining digital strategy from the top with innovation happening at the local level. ARIEL 1: Whoa, slow down! Brazil? I usually think of them for other things, not necessarily cutting-edge tech in government. Geez Louise! ARIEL 2: Yaaas, queen! But they've actually been pioneers in some areas for a while. They've used electronic voting and digital tax declarations for a long time. And more recently, their federal gov.br portal has become a central point of access for tons of services and digital IDs for over 150 million people! ARIEL 1: Ahhh, okay! So it's like one website or app where you can do lots of government stuff? That sounds way easier than dealing with a bunch of different offices. ARIEL 2: Totally! But the innovation isn't just at the federal level. The article emphasizes that a lot of powerful examples are coming from state and city governments working with civic tech platforms. ARIEL 1: Mmm... interesting! So it's not just the national government pushing this, but also local areas trying new things? ARIEL 2: Exactly! The founder of Colab, Gustavo Maia, who wrote this article, shares how their platform has worked with different levels of government in Brazil to implement solutions that really focus on the citizens' needs when it comes to getting services. ARIEL 1: Sooo, like making it easier for regular people to interact with the government? Can you give me an example? ARIEL 2: Ooooh! The city of Niterói is a great example. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they set up a digital system for scheduling vaccinations. Over a third of their population could book appointments with specific times and locations through an app, website, or even WhatsApp. This helped avoid crowding and exposure. ARIEL 1: Wow! That sounds way more organized than what I saw in some places. So they used tech to make a real difference during a crisis. ARIEL 2: You bet! And that same digital infrastructure is now being used for a growing range of other services, from enrolling kids in childcare and requesting social assistance to reporting infrastructure issues and participating in public consultations. ARIEL 1: That's smart! So they built something for one thing and then realized they could use it for a whole bunch of other stuff too. How Brazil uses GovTech and digital public infrastructure to drive development Apr 22, 2025 Photo of the famous cable stayed bridge located at Sao Paulo city, Brazil leads the way in digital public infrastructure Digital public infrastructure is building bridges across Brazil and the Global South Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto Gustavo Maia Founder & CEO, Colab Share: Our Impact What's the World Economic Forum doing to accelerate action on Fourth Industrial Revolution? The Big Picture Explore and monitor how Digital Communications is affecting economies, industries and global issues Stay up to date: GovTech This article is part of: Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Many economies around the world remain hamstrung by outdated bureaucracies and siloed legacy systems. Governments must embrace digital public infrastructure and GovTech if they are to consistently deliver inclusive, efficient and accountable public services. Some of the most promising examples of digital public infrastructure and GovTech adoption come from the Global South, with Brazil leading the way. To increase efficiency and rebuild public trust, governments worldwide face growing pressure to modernize. People today expect the same level of convenience, speed and transparency from their public institutions as they do from their banking apps and food delivery platforms. Yet, many governments remain hamstrung by outdated bureaucracies and siloed legacy systems. This urgency has placed digital public infrastructure and GovTech at the heart of a new global agenda. Rather than being viewed as optional digital upgrades, these tools are increasingly recognized as essential for delivering inclusive, efficient and accountable public services. As a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure, I’ve seen firsthand how this shift is being prioritized globally. The recent World Economic Forum report, The Global Public Impact of GovTech: A $9.8 Trillion Opportunity, offers a roadmap for rethinking how governments build and operate the core systems that underpin society, from ID and payments to data exchange layers and service delivery. Have you read? Why data is so important for Brazilian restoration and reforestation How Brazil and Chile are leading Latin America’s energy transition Why digital public infrastructure is key to building a connected future Brazil is an early adopter of digital public infrastructure Some of the most promising examples of digital public infrastructure and GovTech adoption are coming from the Global South. Brazil, in particular, has made substantial progress, combining top-down digital strategy with bottom-up innovation at the local level. Nationally, Brazil has long been a pioneer in electronic voting and digital tax declarations. More recently, the federal government’s gov.br portal has centralized access to hundreds of services and digital IDs for over 150 million citizens. But innovation is not limited to the federal level. In fact, many powerful examples are emerging from state and municipal governments working in partnership with civic technology platforms. Over the past few years, the Colab platform — a Brazilian GovTech I lead — has worked with different levels of government to implement digital public infrastructure-aligned solutions that put citizens at the centre of service delivery. Discover What is the Forum doing to close the gap between technology and policy? Brazil's municipalities were quick to go digital At the municipal level, the city of Niterói deployed a multichannel digital scheduling system during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling over one-third of its population to book vaccination appointments with assigned times and locations — minimizing crowding and exposure. Today, that same infrastructure supports not only other vaccines, but also a growing range of services — from childcare enrollment and social assistance requests to infrastructure reporting and public consultations — all accessible via app, web portal and WhatsApp. At the state level, the government of Piauí launched a digital participatory budgeting programme, engaging more than 160,000 citizens in voting on public works and community investments. Over R$80 million ($16 million) has been allocated based on the popular vote, with participation already growing in the current cycle. At the federal level, Brazil’s Tribunal de Contas da União (Federal Court of Accounts) has initiated a citizen monitoring programme for roadworks. Citizens receive location-based notifications about nearby paving projects and are invited to submit geo-tagged photos and feedback. Verified reports earn micro-rewards and reduce the cost and workload of traditional technical inspections. These cases show how interoperable, citizen-facing digital platforms can significantly improve how governments deliver services, engage communities and monitor infrastructure in ways that are transparent, scaleable and cost-efficient. Optimizing digital public infrastructure and GovTec To fully realize the promise of GovTech and digital public infrastructure, governments, international institutions and the private sector must align around a few core priorities: 1. Treat digital public infrastructure as public infrastructure Just like roads and electricity, digital systems that enable service delivery, such as digital ID, payments and data layers, should be treated as long-term public goods. 2. Adapt regulation to technology Agile, iterative governance is needed to regulate fast-evolving areas, such as AI, data sharing and algorithmic decision-making; especially when public services are involved. 3. Invest in state capacity Public servants must be empowered and trained to understand, procure, implement and manage digital systems responsibly and strategically. 4. Foster cross-sector collaboration GovTech ecosystems thrive when governments co-create with civil society, academia and startups. Partnerships accelerate experimentation, learning and impact. 5. Start with the citizen experience Digital services should be built around the real needs, journeys and pain points of people, not just administrative logic. A citizen-centric approach increases adoption, satisfaction and ultimately, legitimacy. Digital public infrastructure and GovTech are more than buzzwords. They represent a fundamental reimagining of how governments function and relate to the people they serve. Done right, they make public services simpler, faster, more inclusive and more trusted. And, while countries like Brazil still face challenges, they also show that with the right tools, talent and trust, emerging economies can lead — not follow — the next generation of digital governance. How each country chooses to approach this transformation will define the future of its public institutions. Those of us already in the field are here to share, collaborate and help accelerate that journey. ARIEL 2: Totally! And at the state level, the government of Piauí launched a digital participatory budgeting program. Over 160,000 citizens voted on public works and community investments, and millions of their currency have been allocated based on those votes! ARIEL 1: Participatory budgeting? So people actually get to decide how some of the government's money is spent? That sounds really empowering! ARIEL 2: It is! And even at the federal level, Brazil's Federal Court of Accounts has a citizen monitoring program for roadworks. People get notifications about nearby projects and can submit photos and feedback, earning small rewards for verified reports. This helps with transparency and reduces the workload for traditional inspections. ARIEL 1: That's so cool! Using citizens as extra eyes and ears. It sounds like these digital platforms are making government services more transparent, scalable, and cost-efficient. ARIEL 2: Exactly! And to really make the most of GovTech and digital public infrastructure, the article outlines a few core priorities for governments, international institutions, and the private sector. ARIEL 1: Okay, what are the key things they need to focus on? ARIEL 2: First, they need to treat digital public infrastructure like any other essential public infrastructure, like roads and electricity. Things like digital ID, payments, and data layers should be seen as long-term public goods. ARIEL 1: That makes sense. It's not just a fancy upgrade, it's a fundamental part of how society works now. ARIEL 2: Second, they need to adapt regulations to keep up with fast-evolving technologies like AI and data sharing, especially when public services are involved. They need agile governance. ARIEL 1: Yeah, you can't use old rules for brand new tech. That would be like trying to drive a flying car on a horse-drawn carriage path. ARIEL 2: Totally! Third, they need to invest in state capacity by empowering and training public servants to understand, procure, implement, and manage these digital systems responsibly and strategically. ARIEL 1: So it's not just about buying the tech, but also having the people who know how to use it properly. ARIEL 2: Exactly! Fourth, they need to foster collaboration across sectors – government, civil society, academia, and startups. Partnerships can really speed up experimentation and learning. ARIEL 1: Teamwork makes the dream work, even in government! What's the fifth priority? ARIEL 2: Fifth, and perhaps most importantly, they need to start with the citizen experience. Digital services should be built around the real needs and pain points of people, not just administrative logic. A citizen-centric approach leads to better adoption and trust. ARIEL 1: Amen to that! If it's not easy for people to use, they're not going to use it, no matter how fancy the tech is. ARIEL 2: Precisely! The article concludes by saying that while Brazil still faces challenges, their progress shows that emerging economies can actually lead the way in the next generation of digital governance if they have the right tools, talent, and trust. ARIEL 1: Sooo confusing, right? Learn more @EGreenNews! What shocked you more - that Brazil is a leader in this GovTech stuff or that focusing on the citizen experience is so crucial? ARIEL 2: And before we leave, lets give a big Shoutout to the people at EGreenNews, including its founder, Hugi Hernandez for promoting transparency 24×7! Mmm, who knows, maybe you can find them on the web or linkedin. But anyways, please,always remember to be good with yourself. So bye for now, aand we hope we see you next time! ARIEL 1: So its great to be here with you ariel and thanks for having me, ciao ciao!