Reimaging Financing Models for Digital Public Infrastructure

​Digital innovation across the Global South depends on more than individual applications. It depends upon a shared foundation, including digital identity, payment systems, and secure data exchange. Together, these components of digital public infrastructure (DPI) help organizations deliver services and products, coordinate information, and reach underserved populations.

​Yet, DPI faces a financing challenge. Research recently conducted by Fenix Digital and supported by Accion’s Center for Financial Inclusion found that grant-dependent funding models, often focused on start-up or pilots, are insufficient. Long term operating expenses, including ongoing cybersecurity, software maintenance, infrastructure upgrades and governance, frequently exceed initial capital investments.

​A new approach is needed. Fenix Digital’s research concluded that DPI projects require structured multi-year financing models to enable them to scale and reach financial sustainability.

​Please join Fenix Digital for an invitation-only roundtable discussion at Center for Financal Inclusion to explore what these blended financing models could be and the opportunities for various types of investors.

​The roundtable will begin with a short presentation highlighting key findings and recommendations from Fenix Digital’s research on the barriers, opportunities, and innovative approaches to financing DPI, including a framework detailing the total cost of ownership.

​The discussion will then focus on the possible financing models, with a structured discussion about the potential opportunities and roles for philanthropy, bilateral and multilateral instruments, and private sector investors as well as an exploration of possible structures and governance models.

​We hope you will join us and look forward to a dynamic discussion.

​Please RSVP by September 28, if possible, as seating is limited. Any questions can be directed to info@fenixdigital.