Forging the Future: 28DIGITAL and UNIDO Partner to Power Inclusive Industrial Innovation

A new strategic partnership is set to accelerate the digital transformation of industries in developing and emerging economies worldwide. Through a formal Exchange of Letters, we have partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to leverage digital innovation as a catalyst for equitable economic growth and sustainable development.

The agreement combines UNIDO's mandate for inclusive industrial development with 28DIGITAL's experience in innovation ecosystems and digital entrepreneurship.

The partnership will focus on three interconnected areas: strengthening government and institutional capacity to build sustainable digital innovation frameworks, developing methodologies and training tools to transfer innovation practices to partner countries, and engaging corporate partners and investors to mobilize resources for programme implementation.

Central to the collaboration is the expansion of UNIDO's ScaleX programme, which 28DIGITAL will help deploy globally as a framework for mission-driven innovation and open collaboration in emerging markets. The partnership will also develop an "Ecosystem as a Service" programme based on 28DIGITAL's methodology, designed to help countries build innovation environments aligned with local priorities and ensure government commitment.

According to 28DIGITAL CEO Federico Menna, the collaboration aims to build "resilient, inclusive, and locally-led ecosystems" rather than simply deploying external solutions. The partnership prioritizes creating opportunities for youth, women, and underrepresented entrepreneurs within these innovation frameworks.

The Exchange of Letters establishes a non-binding framework, with future collaborations contingent on funding availability, strategic priorities, and separate formal agreements. This structure allows for flexible partnership development as programmes evolve and respond to the needs of participating countries.