Visa and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, have concluded plans to improve access to open, secure and inclusive digital government systems across the world.

They will work together for five years to develop programmes to assist governments in creating and adopting platforms that connect their constituents with local government services.

The joint work, according to both organisations, would promote economic development and growth in select markets by combining capabilities and expertise in digital government systems, digital payments and support for constituents and small-and-medium enterprises.

Commenting on the development, Global Head of New Flows – Commercial & Money Movement Solutions, Chris Newkirk, said: “Digital government systems can help enhance transparency and efficiency between communities and governments, fostering a more favorable environment for entrepreneurs and economic development. Through shared interests and goals, Visa and USAID will empower communities with digital and financial literacy and support access to digital systems that will help drive financial inclusion for everyone, everywhere.”

On his part, USAID’s Chief Digital Development Officer and Director of USAID’s Technology Division, Christopher Burns, said: “Digital development works best when governments and the private sector intentionally work together toward a shared vision of an inclusive digital future,” states. “We look forward to deepening our partnership with Visa, as we jointly work to drive digital financial inclusion for traditionally underserved consumers and strengthen digital public infrastructure across emerging markets.”

Meanwhile, this work builds on a long-standing relationship between Visa, Visa Foundation, and USAID to drive digitisation and financial inclusion globally. Most recently, Visa and USAID are both working with Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation to develop Diia, a mobile application that has helped connect 19 million Ukrainians with more than 120 government services.

Visa Foundation works alongside USAID as two of the founding members of the Climate Gender Equity Fund, CGEF, a flagship initiative of the Women in the Sustainable Economy, WISE, Initiative, where Visa Foundation committed grants and investments to support an estimated 1.4 million gender equitable and climate-smart small businesses globally.