Bosnia and Herzegovina Lacks a Unified Framework for Developing a Digital System

31.05.2023.godine

In the age of digitalisation, technology has the power to reshape industry, society, and the economy. Digital transformation is key to unlocking countless new opportunities, increasing efficiency, and fostering innovation across sectors. With the aim of supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward digitalisation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) presented the Analysis of the Current Digital System in BiH at the conference “USAID Presents: Digitalization for Development – Restarting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Digital Ecosystem,” held in Sarajevo at the end of May.

More than 200 key stakeholders gathered at the event to outline the steps Bosnia and Herzegovina must take to leverage the benefits that digitalisation can bring to its citizens. Following the presentation of the findings of the Digital Ecosystem Assessment for BiH, a panel discussion was held featuring leading experts and government representatives on various digitalisation-related topics. Robert Lopez, USAID Mission Director in BiH, participated in the first panel, “Digital Society 2030,” alongside Irida Varatanović from the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH, Kenan Karčić from the Banking Association of BiH, Prof. Saša Mrdović from the University of Sarajevo, and Damir Maglajlić, Executive Director of Bit Alliance.

USAID’s Digital Ecosystem Assessment for BiH (DECA) was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022. It identifies unique development opportunities as well as potential risks within BiH’s digital system. The DECA assessment covered a wide range of topics across three pillars of digitalisation: digital infrastructure, digital rights and governance, and the digital economy.

The assessment revealed that while BiH is well-connected to the internet, it has the highest internet service prices in the region. It also found that the absence of a national wireless access strategy slows the development of information and communication technology, and that no comprehensive framework exists to regulate citizens’ digital rights or access to digital technologies. Additionally, government institutions make inefficient use of digital tools.

Overall, the level of media literacy in the country is low, meaning citizens often lack the skills to critically analyse online information. Furthermore, 28% of schools in BiH do not have internet access. The conference also highlighted the low level of consumer trust in digital services in BiH and the limited understanding of e-commerce tools such as online banking and online shopping—factors that hinder the adoption of technologies that could stimulate economic growth.

Based on these findings, the USAID Analysis recommends cooperation among all stakeholders to develop a unified policy and strategy for governing and investing in the digital ecosystem. The goal is to promote innovation, strengthen cybersecurity, and provide better education for citizens.

“Digital transformation holds enormous potential to improve the lives of citizens and stimulate economic growth. We must act decisively and collaboratively to ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes part of the digital revolution and fully benefits from the opportunities offered by modern technology. Therefore, I call on all relevant actors—including government, educational institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations—to work together on advancing the digitalisation of Bosnian-Herzegovinian society,” said Maglajlić.

Sources: Dnevni Avaz and FENA