The World Bank’s supervision and support mission which began on 10th April 2025 was concluded today with the wrap up meeting with the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the stakeholders. The meeting was conducted online. Participants in the meeting were Co-Task Team Leaders from the World Bank, Mr. Jerome Bezzina (Sr. Digital Development Specialist and Ms. Anna Metz (Sr. Digital Development Specialist) and Siew Sanz Ng (Young Professional) from the World Bank. Dr. Ibrahim Waheed (Project Manager) along with Ahmed Haleem (Communications Specialist) and Ms. Fathimath Shafa Hussain (Project Officer) joined from the D’MADD PMU. Ms. Dhumya Ahmed (Team Associate) and Ms. Mariyam Ajfaan (Team Associate) participated from the World Bank Country Management unit in the Maldives.  Ms. Nashwa Mohamed Shareef (Assistant Resource Mobilization Executive) and Ms. Shiya Abdulla (Resource Mobilization Analyst) represented the Ministry of Finance. Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM) was represented by Mr. Ilyas Ahmed (Chief Executive).

Dr. Ibrahim Waheed presented the overall progress of the project with key achievements in the pilot programs and plans and challenges within the project. Mr. Ilyas also expressed satisfaction with the progress of component 1 supporting the CAM on developing regulatory frameworks, QoS frameworks and capacity building of the CAM staff, which was concurrently happening.

The World Bank mission team commended the Maldives government’s alignment between its national digital transformation framework and the ongoing project’s design. However, the team briefed the participants on the discussion on the government’s intent to issue of chip-based identity cards. The idea was discussed with DNR in the previous administrations, and the position was changed to have a digital identity. However, the new direction with the chip cards will be costly and this needs to be further discussed with the relevant parties as the project’s focus was strengthening the identification process with a robust foundational identity system and digital identity system.

They highlighted the importance of financing support for new digital initiatives, including data sharing platforms and digital ID systems.

The team addressed the concerns raised about underbudgeting in project administration and management, Component 4. The team urged swift action by Ministry of Finance to reallocate resources and address payment delays to solution providers. Jerome emphasized the urgency of resolving budget shortfalls.

The mission team praised the innovative pilot projects under Component 3, while encouraging flexibility and continued progress on Components 1 and 2, including the anticipated Data Privacy Act.

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