Diagnosing and Managing Digital Ecosystems

This chapter shares the evaluation of a new digital assessment methodology to assess the readiness of countries, and potential strengths and pitfalls of using such assessment tools. Digital transformation assessment holds the potential of mobilizing the necessary country-level leadership and digital leadership institutions. Diagnosing a country’s digital transformation ecosystem calls for substantial collaboration between sectoral development practices within aid agencies and within countries. Another challenge is the multiplicity of complements (policies, skills, institutions) needed to realize the promised benefits. This calls for a more comprehensive conceptualization of the digital transformation ecosystem and coordination throughout implementation. A key challenge is to link digital assessments to the ultimate development goals of eliminating absolute poverty and secure shared prosperity.