From War to Digital Revolution: How Ukraine Became a Global Leader in E-Government

On February 24, 2022, as Oleksandr Bornyakov drove through Kyiv amidst the chaos of Russia’s invasion, he was not just witnessing conflict; he was realizing his dream of a digital Ukraine. As the Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, Bornyakov played a pivotal role in introducing Diia, a revolutionary digital government app that allows citizens to access essential services like driving licenses, marriage certificates, and even Eurovision voting—all from their mobile phones.

Launched in 2019, the app gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, incorporating health certificates and drastically increasing its users from a few million to 22.7 million today. Despite the ongoing war, Diia has evolved to provide 40 government services, ranging from tax payments to marriage applications, and it includes features like reporting Russian troop locations and applying for property compensation.

Bornyakov credits Ukraine’s digital success to its robust pool of 300,000 software developers, who have cultivated a cheaper and more efficient environment for innovation compared to Western countries. Moreover, the Ukrainian government leveraged existing data exchange systems, which streamline information flow across departments, allowing for less bureaucratic red tape and improving service delivery.

Experts like David Eaves from University College London emphasize that the war has accelerated Ukraine’s digital transformation, making the urgency of providing services more critical than adhering to bureaucratic processes.

Looking forward, Ukraine aims to incorporate AI into its government services to enhance user interaction and efficiency. However, experts caution that careful handling of data and reliable AI systems are crucial for future developments. Ultimately, Ukraine’s experience highlights the potential of technology to enable government modernization, illustrating how crises can lead to unprecedented advancements.