The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Exponential Science Foundation have forged a partnership to establish the Government Blockchain Academy, a pioneering initiative designed to accelerate public sector innovation through emerging technologies.
Set to launch its first country programmes in 2026, the Academy represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between theoretical blockchain knowledge and practical government implementation. The initiative will equip public sector leaders with the tools and expertise needed to harness blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other frontier technologies to address pressing development challenges.
The Academy's framework centres on five strategic pillars that tackle critical areas of public administration. Inclusive Digital Finance will advance secure payment systems to broaden financial access, whilst Transparent Governance focuses on strengthening integrity through tamper-resistant recordkeeping. Supply Chain Integrity addresses public procurement accountability, Climate Resilience explores blockchain applications in environmental financing, and Digital Identity Solutions provides citizens with verifiable credentials for enhanced service access.
‘This is not just an educational initiative. It's a collective blueprint for public innovation,’ explains Prof. Paolo Tasca, Executive Chairman of Exponential Science. ‘By bringing together diverse partners under one framework, we can ensure that governments have the tools and the talent they need to navigate the next wave of digital transformation.’
The Academy's comprehensive approach combines in-person workshops, online modules, and leadership forums tailored specifically for public sector requirements. Government teams will receive structured support throughout their journey, from identifying use cases and developing requirements to participating in joint solution design workshops that align policymakers with technical experts.
UNDP's Irena Cerovic emphasises the initiative's transformative potential: ‘The Government Blockchain Academy offers a pathway for countries to tackle complex development challenges in new ways and move from experimentation to implementation in ways that strengthen transparency, inclusion, and resilience.’
The formal unveiling is set to take place during TOKEN2049 in Singapore this October, featuring an industry roundtable to engage protocol developers and infrastructure providers in supporting this global educational endeavour.
With preparatory work already underway, the Academy positions itself as a global hub for dialogue, experimentation, and learning, empowering officials to shape policies that reflect digital inclusion, security, and sovereignty in an increasingly connected world.
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