Guinea-Bissau Steps Up Digital Transformation Drive

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Guinea-Bissau is pushing ahead with efforts to modernise its digital economy and government services through a national digital transformation strategy designed to improve public-sector technology and citizen services.

The country’s digital strategy, developed with support from UNDP and UNU-EGOV, focuses on digital governance, public-service modernisation and stronger institutional capacity. The strategy was officially launched in January 2025 following consultations with government ministries and public institutions.

Digital government could become an important driver of economic modernisation in Guinea-Bissau, particularly as authorities seek to make administrative services more accessible and efficient.

The country is also looking at ways to strengthen connectivity and competition in the telecommunications sector. Earlier World Bank work identified broadband development, restructuring of state telecom operations and digital financial services as key priorities. 

Guinea-Bissau still faces a significant connectivity gap. DataReportal estimates that 734,000 people were using the internet at the end of 2025, representing internet penetration of about 32.5%.

Closing that gap could unlock opportunities in fintech, online education, digital commerce and technology entrepreneurship, particularly for the country's young population.

The technology push therefore represents more than government modernisation: it could become a foundation for Guinea-Bissau's emerging digital economy.