Recognising that digital advancement supports the achievement of potentially 70% of SDG targets, the programme aims to bridge the digital divide experienced by many OIC countries. By fostering relevant digital skills and facilitating knowledge sharing, DIGI-CaB contributes specifically to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – crucial for improving high-tech exports and digital infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities – closing the digital gap), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals – strengthening South-South digital cooperation). During the launch of this programme, SESRIC created a questionnaire to identify the most significant challenges facing OIC member countries and their particular needs in this area. By understanding these needs, SESRIC was able to pinpoint specific themes that address the countries’ concerns, such as cybersecurity, data protection, technical innovations and infrastructure, e-government and digital service delivery, among others.

DIGI-CaB serves as a capacity-building program designed to implement activities such as training courses, workshops, webinars, and training of trainers (ToT), mainly aiming to enhance the skills of national institutions and their experts. The programme goes beyond a basic understanding of digitalisation, expanding to focus on the practical application and integration of digital tools and emerging technologies such as AI and cybersecurity. Moreover, it works to integrate digitisation into various development sectors within OIC countries, including tourism, trade, and agriculture, thus providing a pathway for member countries to improve their digital competitiveness and overcome barriers linked to underdeveloped economies’ frameworks.

The development of the programme hinges on strong participation and effective partnerships. SESRIC actively fosters collaboration with national institutions across the OIC that are responsible for digital transformation, ensuring that programme activities directly address their needs. This collaborative approach is evident in various joint initiatives undertaken with national and international organisations, highlighting the urgent need for digitisation. DIGI-CaB is a direct application of the South-South cooperation mechanism by facilitating collaborative methods among national institutions within OIC countries and between OIC institutions themselves. This is reflected in activities such as the Workshop on “Key Challenges and Opportunities in the Utilisation of Emerging Technologies,” which brought together 165 experts and executives from relevant national institutions across 37 OIC countries. The workshop aimed to enhance understanding of emerging technologies, promote continuous adaptation to rapid technological change, and explore opportunities for innovation and value creation through these technologies within the OIC countries.

DIGI-CaB aims to drive digital transformation by empowering national actors, aligning with the OIC’s strategic development goals, including the OIC 2025 Programme of Action and the OIC STI Agenda 2026, to address challenges through science and technology. Although the programme is in its early stages, expected outcomes include enhanced digital literacy within public institutions, increased adoption of relevant digital technologies, improved national digital strategy formulation, and stronger networks for digital cooperation, expected to contribute to better SDG performance and improved economic indicators across OIC countries. The DIGI-CaB model, like many SESRIC initiatives, is designed to be adaptable for various frameworks that emphasise long-term efforts. The program can be customised to address different technological focus areas or development challenges within the OIC, as well as in other regions facing similar issues and constraints.