Co-Task Team Leaders from the World Bank, Mr. Jerome Bezzina (Sr. Digital Development Specialist and Ms. Anna Metz (Sr. Digital Development Specialist), from the World Bank, met with the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT), represented by Dr. Mohamed Kinaanath (Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology), Mr. Hany Naseer (Senior Software Engineer) and Mr. Hussain Naushad (Senior GDS Specialist). Dr. Ibrahim Waheed (Project Manager), along with Ahmed Haleem (Communications Specialist) and Ms. Fathimath Shafa Hussain (Project Officer), joined from the D’MADD PMU. The key discussions centred on the NCIT's project-supported activities as a stakeholder and the need for proactive engagement in these initiatives. The mission team also checked the progress of the activities against the result framework of the project.

Minister of State Dr. Kinaanath expanded on the brief interdiction of the Maldives 2.0 vision of the president and gave extensive details that align with the project’s objectives. The mission teams also explored ways in which the D’MADD project can support the initiative through the planned tasks. The team extensively discussed the much-needed data protection bill, as its submission is a key disbursement condition, and explored how the World Bank can support expediting the process.

Dr. Kinaanath updated the team on the four proposed bills, including the data privacy bill that will be part of the Maldives 2.0 vision. Dr. Kinaanath also briefed about the government’s position on an electronic identity (e-ID) card and the establishment of the national data sharing platform as part of the Maldives 2.0 initiative.

The NCIT has envisioned a new development of the e-Faas platform with consent-based data sharing capabilities. This update aims to enable secure, consent-driven data exchange between public and private entities and will require legislative backing with the proposed data protection act.

Updates were provided on the SD-WAN project, which aims to enhance government network connectivity across the islands. Despite recent claims of nationwide fibre connectivity, NCIT officials clarified that the SDWAN is required to maintain the Government’s private communications network, “The National Computer Network (NCN),” which relies on the advancements of the internet connectivity in the islands.

Dr. Waheed reported the progress on several project components, including the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan and the Digital ID and Services Bill, both of which are in the contract negotiation phase.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to finalize the management letter and continue collaboration on the digital transformation roadmap. The upcoming Maldives Digital Vision Summit, scheduled for May in Malé, is expected to reveal and further outline the government’s strategic direction.

The meeting was part of the World Bank’s regular supervision and support mission that will continue from 10th to 17th April 2025.