The title may sound overly critical – it is nothing but. Many countries have succeeded in digital governance, but replicating their success isn’t straightforward because each country is different. After all, if it were easy, every country would be at the same level. Digital Iceland (it seems) has mastered the art of harnessing the best of technological expertise while fostering collaboration with a diverse array of private sector innovators from several companies and/or countries.
The synergy of this partnership is one of the reasons that allows Iceland to launch new digital projects with remarkable agility.
Scoring high in digital service and infrastructure
According to the UN’s annual digital government assessment, the eGovernment Development Index, Digital Iceland is ranked fifth globally (out of 193 countries)
This is up from the country’s twelfth-place ranking in 2020.
If you haven’t seen the report, Denmark ranked first, followed by Finland, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and then Iceland in fifth.
The UN bases its assessment on three main areas and indexes:
- Online Service Index
- Human Capital Index
- Telecommunication Infrastructure Index
Iceland ranked exceptionally high in both Human capital and infrastructure.
Iceland’s digital infrastructure has two elements.
One is the creation of an ‘e-ID’ that citizens use as a digital signature to access different public services, with more than 90% of adults having one.
The second is digitizing documents and services used to prove who someone is, such as driving licenses – used by more than 50% of the population.
According to European Commission’s Benchmark report, Iceland is Europe’s eID frontrunner.
In this country, online documentation can be uploaded or obtained for all relevant services.
Small but mighty
For those that don’t know, the country was recognised as 4th place in Europe for digital innovation in the European Commission’s eGovernment Benchmark 2022.
What’s impressive about Digital Iceland is its ability to act quickly and efficiently.
Iceland might be small in terms of land and population, but it’s achieving big things in digital innovation. And yes, maybe its small size makes it nimble and helps it adapt fast. But that’s not always enough.
But it’s not just about resources; it’s about getting everyone on board.
Leaders, employees, and citizens in Iceland all believe in the digital transformation, and that’s a big reason for their success.
But here’s what truly impresses me about Iceland: their approach to digitalisation.
They didn’t dive into complex, time-consuming projects right away. Instead, they focused on quick wins, low-hanging fruit that built awareness and trust.
So, instead of just making rules and regulations about how government agencies should use technology, they took action!
They focused on easy, quick wins that would get people’s attention and build trust in digital services. They led by example instead of just talking.
Building on existing solutions
A cornerstone of Iceland’s digital governance triumph lies in its astute approach to building upon existing solutions.
What’s particularly striking, from my perspective, is their pragmatic approach: they don’t reinvent the wheel… they refine it.
They’ve not only borrowed concepts that have thrived in other countries but have also tailored these concepts to fit seamlessly into their unique national context.
Iceland doesn’t see success as the final destination but as a springboard for further achievements.
This strategy expedites transformation, necessitating creative solutions to deliver optimal service with limited resources.
Another important step in building momentum in Digital Iceland is shining a light on all the agencies (including private companies) that have done excellent work.
Iceland holds a yearly conference for the local community where they share success stories, products, and their strategy. This conference is crucial for growing their movement, and it is an approach I don’t see many countries practice.
Iceland manages to use digital technologies to stimulate citizen engagement and policy participation.
To me, this approach embodies the very essence of effective digital governance—it’s about being open to learning, adapting, and innovating.
Final thoughts?
In the end, Iceland’s digital governance journey isn’t just a success story; it’s a call to action for other nations. It raises questions that demand our attention and opinion.
Firstly, can smaller countries lead the charge in digital innovation? Iceland’s example suggests they can. It showcases the incredible power of agility and adaptability, proving that size doesn’t necessarily limit ambition or achievement.
Secondly, what lessons can the rest of the world learn from Iceland’s playbook? The importance of leadership buy-in, citizen engagement, and a focus on user-friendly, proven solutions cannot be overstated.
Thirdly, Iceland’s emphasis on rebranding government services is particularly praiseworthy. It echoes a sentiment I’ve long held—that government should be as efficient and user-friendly as any modern tech company.
Digital Iceland has demonstrated that genuine transformation requires more than just policy changes — it necessitates a cultural shift towards embracing technology as a powerful tool for progress.
Sources:
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/egovernment-benchmark-2022
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/76-Iceland
