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The Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation Summit marked a significant milestone in the country's digital journey.
A national initiative driven by innovation, inclusion, and digital-first governance. Maldives 2.0 is more than a digital agenda; it is a reimagining of governance, service delivery, and economic opportunity.
Anchored by eight foundational Digital Transformation Pillars, the initiative aims to connect every island, empower every citizen, and create resilient, modern public institutions.
The three-day summit convened leaders from government, global institutions, and the private sector to shape the blueprint for a smarter, more connected, and inclusive digital nation.
This is a summary of the event. For more details, please refer to the following links:
Opening Ceremony
The summit officially commenced on the 9th of May 2025 at Nasandhura Barcelos Malé with a powerful opening ceremony.
Mr. Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, inaugurated the summit by highlighting digital transformation as a matter of national integrity and public trust.
Mr. Linnar Viik, Member of the Digital Council at the Office of the President of Estonia and Co-Founder of the e-Governance Academy, provided international perspective by reflecting on Estonia’s digital journey.
Ms. Saeeda Umar, Managing Director of Tradenet Maldives, shared a vision for a connected and transparent government that delivers real impact for citizens.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu formally launched the initiative, underscoring that “Maldives 2.0 is not a vision for tomorrow. It is a commitment we begin today,” and pledged a digital-first government.
Keynote Speeches
Throughout the summit, keynote speakers shared global insights and strategic direction:
Ms. Kedi Välba (CEO of Aktors): On enabling smart governance through seamless data exchange.
Ms. Jana Krimpe (The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of B.EST Solutions): On secure digital identity as essential infrastructure for digital nations.
Ms. Elsa Neeme (The Senior Cybersecurity Expert at the e-Governance Academy of Estonia): On the role of strong cybersecurity legislation in protecting citizens and enabling digital growth.
Pillar Presentations
Each of the eight Digital Transformation Pillars was presented by leading experts, accompanied by panel discussions featuring specialists and policymakers.
Pillar 1: Digital Identity & Trusted Transactions
Mr. Hany Nasyr, Senior Software Engineer at the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT), presented plans for eFaas 2.0 and emphasized the need for interoperable systems across government.Pillar 2: Open Data Sharing & Governance
Mr. Hussain Naushad, Senior Government Digital Services Specialist at NCIT, called for a cultural shift toward data-sharing across public agencies to deliver real-time, seamless services to citizens.Pillar 3: Cybersecurity for National Resilience
Dr. Ahmed Naufal Abdul Hadee, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cyber Security Agency, positioned cybersecurity as the backbone of digital resilience and national trust.Pillar 4: Modern Legal Frameworks for Digital Trust & Governance
Mr. Abdullah Hussain, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, highlighted legislative priorities such as data protection, digital signatures, and legal trust infrastructure.Pillar 5: Secure & Sovereign Digital Infrastructure
Ms. Shazra Mohamed Saeed, Project Manager for Digital Government Services at NCIT, advocated for building a sovereign cloud to safeguard national data and ensure digital autonomy.Pillar 6: Citizen-Centric E-Government Services
Mr. Ahmed Varish Mohamed, General Manager of Business Development at Tradenet Maldives, introduced the oneGov platform and highlighted principles of user-centric, mobile-first service delivery.Pillar 7: Sectoral Digital Transformation - Health
Ms. Moomina Abdullah, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Health, outlined a vision for integrated digital health services including secure records, telemedicine, and data-informed care.Pillar 7: Sectoral Digital Transformation - Finance
Mr. Mohamed Naiz, Chief Information Officer at the Ministry of Finance, discussed enhancements to BandeyriPay and integrations with national e-wallets to streamline public payments.Pillar 7: Sectoral Digital Transformation - Education
Dr. Abdul Latheef Mohamed, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, addressed digital disparities in schools and stressed the importance of inclusive, tech-enabled learning environments.Pillar 7: Sectoral Digital Transformation - Higher Education
Mr. Ahmed Shafeeu, Minister of State at the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, emphasized the need for a unified, digital skills ecosystem to prepare a future-ready workforce.Pillar 8: ICT Ecosystem Development & Innovation
Dr. Aishath Shahudha Abdullah, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, spoke on fostering a digital economy through startup support, ecosystem investment, and innovation policy.
Each pillar was accompanied by in-depth panels that addressed implementation challenges, legal frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration needed for systemic success.
Closing Ceremony
The summit closed with a celebratory ceremony on the evening of the 11th of May. This event underscored the nation’s unity and commitment towards digital transformation:
Mr. Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, praised Estonia's support and reaffirmed the government’s focus on secure, citizen-first digital reform.
Ms. Saeeda Umar, Managing Director of Tradenet Maldives, delivered heartfelt closing remarks emphasizing collaboration and national ownership. She proposed that the summit become an annual platform for alignment and progress review.
The evening concluded with the ceremonial presentation of the National Digital Commitment to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, symbolizing a united national promise to build a Digital-First Maldives.
The Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation Summit was more than an event. It was the official launch of a bold, future-forward vision.
Across three days, it brought together decision-makers, global experts, and institutions to lay the groundwork for a connected, inclusive, and secure digital nation.
From legislation and cybersecurity to education, finance, and infrastructure, the summit demonstrated that Maldives 2.0 is not a distant dream, it is an active journey already underway.
This summit marks the first step in a nationwide push for transformation, one that puts the citizen first, embraces innovation, and sets the stage for a truly digital nation.