Developing Sri Lanka’s National Data Exchange (NDX)

In today’s digital age, data is often referred to as the new oil or the currency of the digital economy. A mechanism which enables effective and efficient sharing of data is one of the cornerstones of good governance today. A system of effective and efficient data-sharing also results in streamlining administrative processes, reducing bureaucracy, and leveraging technology to improve service delivery.

Gaps in Data Management

The absence of a national data exchange platform entails many demerits. In addition to having fragmented data across different government ministries and other agencies with a lot of duplication, it also hinders information sharing and brings out operational inefficiencies and disjointed policy formulation without evidence or data to back up any of the thought processes that went into such policy formulation. The lack of a standardized data exchange platform and accompanying protocols also aggravates the concerns around factors such as data security, privacy breaches and lack of trust in the government. It also creates unnecessary touch points where citizens have to provide data at multiple government departments. 

In an effort to address these gaps, in early 2024, the ICTA and the Ministry of Technology reached out to Citra to develop a National Data Exchange (NDX) platform for Sri Lanka which could facilitate sharing and integration of data across government agencies and stakeholders in a safe and secure manner.  The proposed NDX envisages efficient collaboration, informed decision-making, and enhanced service delivery through standardized frameworks for data exchange in a connected government. 

A Blueprint for NDX

In order to develop a blueprint for a robust NDX in Sri Lanka, Citra started engaging with partners including the UNDP’s Chief Digital Office (CDO). The CDO was created in 2019 to enable, accelerate and promote digital transformation within UNDP and throughout its programmatic work. The SafeDPI Initiative of the CDO provides a universal framework to make DPI safe, credible and equal. Under this initiative, the CDO develops country-specific platforms with appropriate governance systems that align with and complement existing data governance arrangement of a specific country. Sri Lanka’s NDX will draw from such models which will help creating a country-specific system. 

UNDP’s Data Governance Framework covers five pillars, spanning across the whole data life cycle: 

1. Policies, Legislation & Regulations
2. Institutions, Mechanisms & Processes
3. People
4. Technology & Infrastructure
5. Partnerships. 

The purpose of this framework is to enable UNDP partners to design safe, inclusive and fair data exchanges, by providing an open-source governance model that furthers public value. It will propose common elements that uphold the principles underpinning Digital Public Goods and contribute to the SDGs as its underlining basis. The elements will form the foundation for a collaborative effort amongst interested stakeholders to develop the framework into a collectively owned public good. The key dimensions of a data exchange governance framework which are inclusive data sharing, equitable stakeholder relations and fair data management are also embedded in the NDX.  

Objectives of NDX

The following objectives are to be achieved by the NDX to contribute to national digital transformation. 

1. Facilitate Data Sharing: Enable seamless sharing of data among government agencies, departments, and stakeholders to improve collaboration and decision-making.
2. Promote Interoperability: Establish standardized frameworks (e.g.: LIFE) and protocols to ensure compatibility and seamless integration of data across disparate systems and organizations.
3. Enhance Service Delivery: Support the delivery of public services more efficiently and effectively by providing timely access to relevant data.
4. Foster Innovation: Promote innovation and data-driven initiatives by providing access to diverse datasets and fostering collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
5. Ensure Security and Privacy: Implement robust security measures and data governance frameworks to protect sensitive information, safeguard privacy, and maintain trust among stakeholders while facilitating data exchange.
6. Sustainability: implement a robust monetization model for the data shared through NDX, ensuring sustainability, fairness, and optimal value for all stakeholders involved.

The NDX would in the long run enhance public service delivery to be more effective by providing timely access to relevant data. It will also help utilize such data to make development decisions. It will also foster innovation, allow data-driven initiatives by providing access to data sets and forging collaborations among different groups including the public sector, private sector, research groups and entrepreneurs.  Citra is currently engaging in discussions with the CDO and Government counterparts to conceptualize and design Sri Lanka’s NDX.