Wednesday 22 Jul 2026
Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan speaks at the launching ceremony held for the Digital for All campaign, July 22, 2026. (X Photo/MINDCo)
In keeping with the times, technology can be extended to every island in the country, but if people do not have the confidence and skills to use it productively, it will be ultimately ineffective, Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Employment Ali Ihusaan said Wednesday.
The Minister was speaking at the official launch of the Digital for All campaign, a flagship national initiative under the Maldives 2.0 digital transformation roadmap. He said it is important for citizens to know how to use new technologies safely and confidently for the development of the country.
The Digital for All campaign is designed to strengthen digital capability across communities and build the economy. It aims to deliver economic and social benefits through national digital systems and infrastructure investments, ensuring that digital transformation becomes meaningful and accessible for everyone.
The campaign is founded on the National Digital and AI Competency Framework (N-DAC 1.0), which provides a structured foundation for developing the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to safely and effectively engage with digital technologies. N-DAC 1.0 draws from internationally recognised frameworks, including the European Commission’s DigComp 3.0, the DQ Framework, UNESCO’s AI Competency Frameworks, the Quebec Digital Competency Framework and Singapore’s Skills Framework.
The Minister said the campaign will continue to build skilled, responsible and productive citizens who are digitally aware. He described this as an effort to build a future-oriented population, similar to the national basic education program launched by the government in the 1970s.
He noted that cable could be installed in every island in the country, 5G connectivity could be provided, digital payment systems could be set up and digital platforms could be established. However, if people do not have the confidence and skills to use them productively, it will ultimately fail, he said.
“Every island can be cabled, provided with 5G connectivity, digital payment making systems and digital platforms can be set up to provide services. However, if people do not have the skills to use these materials and resources productively, it will ultimately fail,” he said.
"The defining skill of our time is digital capability."
— Maldives Innovation and Digital Company (@mindcomdv) July 22, 2026
Instructional Designer at @Futuremdv , Ms. Aishath Muhudha introduced N-DAC 1.0 & the Digital for All campaign, highlighting the importance of building digital capability across communities#DigitalForAll #DigitalKnowledge pic.twitter.com/qMjZsfYxTV
Minister Ihusaan said artificial intelligence and digital technology have completely changed the way people live, work and communicate. He also noted that as every business becomes digital, the entire state administration and service delivery structure is also becoming digital.
One of the goals of Maldives 2.0 is to build a digital-first country where no citizen’s opportunities are restricted by the island they live in. Digital for All is a major national capacity-building initiative that will reach all atolls of the Maldives within the next three years.
The campaign is jointly led by the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development. It will be operationalised by Future Institute, with MINDCo providing institutional and technical support, while Maldives Digital Service will play a key supporting role as part of the government’s broader digital transformation ecosystem.
The Minister requested the assistance and participation of state institutions, private companies, councils and civil society organisations in this project.
