State Digital Transformation in Ukraine: 2019–2024 Review

GGTC Kyiv and Vox Ukraine have jointly developed the “Reform Radar“—the first systematic analytical review of Ukraine’s digital transformation between 2019 and 2024. The aim is to monitor regulatory changes and record progress in implementing digital solutions in the public sector. This report is intended as a reference point for policymakers, researchers, the media, civil society, and international partners. It allows not only for an assessment of progress but also for identifying where breakthroughs have occurred—and where shortcomings remain.

The report is based on an analysis of more than 100 legal and regulatory acts adopted since 2019—after the establishment of the Ministry of Digital Transformation. The selection was conducted by analysts from GGTC Kyiv and Vox Ukraine. The report includes laws, government resolutions, and other documents directly related to e-governance, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and innovations in public administration. The selected regulations were categorized into 15 core areas of digitalization, which made it possible to observe not only overall progress but also sector-specific dynamics.

What Has Been Achieved?

A key milestone in Ukraine’s systemic digital transformation was the establishment of the Ministry of Digital Transformation in 2019. Prior to that, digitalization efforts were managed by separate entities, most notably the State Agency for E-Governance, which implemented policy in the fields of informatization and e-governance. The agency carried out individual projects (such as the Prozorro system) and introduced separate digital tools (such as interagency electronic document exchange and the e-democracy platform) to improve the performance of executive bodies. However, there was no comprehensive, system-wide approach that would encompass all directions. With the emergence of the Ministry, these functions were consolidated under a single body, making it possible to implement digitalization reform in a systematic way. As a result of sustained efforts, by 2024, Ukraine had entered the top five countries in terms of digital public service development—rising from 102nd place in 2018.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation set a goal of moving all government services online and creating integrated services for both citizens and the state itself. To this end, the Law on the Specifics of Providing Public (Electronic Public) Services was adopted. It laid the legal foundation for the digital transformation of public services and defined the principles for delivering them electronically—including in automatic mode, without the involvement of public officials.

To implement this goal, the Diia app and portal were created—a unified ecosystem that integrates all key public e-services. Diia was presented in 2019 and officially launched in 2020. Thanks to this tool, citizens gained the ability to access administrative services online—via smartphone or website—without visiting centers for administrative services (CNAPs).

As of 2024, the Diia app had over 21.7 million users, with 66 services available through the mobile application and more than 130 accessible via the web portal. Diia provides access to integrated services such as e-Entrepreneur (which combines services for starting and running a business) and e-Baby (which bundles services for new parents) and also allows users to submit applications, obtain certificates, change their place of residence, register a marriage, pay fines, and access services in construction, education, social protection, and more.

During the ongoing war, Diia has introduced a number of digital tools to support citizens affected by the conflict. In March 2022, the eDocument was launched—a digital ID for individuals who lost their physical documents during evacuation. Later, through Diia, citizens were able to register as IDPs and search for temporary housing via the online platform Shelter. Additional tools included e-Support (a financial aid mechanism for displaced persons), the option to receive assistance from international organizations, and the rollout of eRecovery—a comprehensive service for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

Despite its clear benefits, the digitalization of services also revealed a weak spot—technological inequality. Those without smartphones or internet access—primarily older people—were left out of digital services. According to a study by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 38% of Ukrainians over the age of 70 do not use the internet and, therefore, have no access to vital assistance through Diia.

The Diia app provides access to 33 electronic documents that hold the same legal force as their paper counterparts. Thus, Ukraine became the first country in the world to introduce a digital passport with full legal equivalence to the paper version. In Ukraine, the passport in Diia is a digital document that does not require a physical carrier and can be used as a full equivalent of the paper document for identity verification in all everyday situations within the country. In other countries, such functionality is limited to specific sectors. For example, Estonia’s electronic ID passport is mainly used for online identification and digital signatures, but it does not have broad applicability without presenting the physical card. Ukraine also became the fourth country in Europe to legalize digital driver’s licenses and one of the first in the world whose digital COVID certificates were officially recognized by the EU. In addition, Ukraine is currently participating in the POTENTIAL consortium, which is developing the EU Digital Identity Wallet—enabling Ukrainians to use digital documents both domestically and across the EU in the future.

In 2021, the government launched the National Web Platform for Administrative Service Centers, designed to improve the functioning of CNAPs. Through the platform, citizens can access information about the Centers’ operations and available services, locate the nearest CNAP, and book appointments online. In modernized Diia-CNAPs—fully integrated into the Diia ecosystem—the registries required for service provision are connected to the digital platform, allowing administrators to quickly verify data and deliver services without the need for paper documents. This reduces wait times and the number of visits to government institutions for citizens since much of the necessary information is already in the system. In addition to administrative services, these Centers also provide business consultations, assistance with online services, free legal aid, and access to computers with internet access. As of June 2025, there are already 86 such centers operating in Ukraine.

The next step toward simplifying service delivery at CNAPs is automating administrative services—that is, shifting the entire document workflow into digital format. In this model, an administrator enters data into an electronic system, which then independently verifies the information and generates a corresponding decision without any official’s involvement. Currently, these processes are supported by the Vulyk (“Hive”) information system, which, as of June 2025, is in use at 295 CNAPs.

In addition to flagship projects that are immediately visible to all citizens, there are also systemic initiatives focused on the internal functioning of government bodies. For example, the digitalization of registries enables data to be automatically retrieved, making services more convenient by removing the need for users to enter information manually.

In 2021, Parliament adopted the framework Law on Public Electronic Registries, which sets unified rules for building the architecture of electronic public registries. The law provides for the transition to digital format of both core registries and those overseen by central executive authorities. Registries that were previously fragmented—maintained in different formats without data exchange capabilities—are now gradually being digitized and integrated.

Data exchange between government information resources, electronic registries, and information systems is facilitated by Trembita—an interagency electronic data exchange system that the government began developing in 2016 and brought into operation in 2019. The system enables the automated transfer of data between government bodies, helping eliminate duplication and reduce the influence of the human factor. In 2023, the government designated Trembita as the main system for data exchange between state electronic resources. Though invisible to most citizens, this infrastructure has become the foundation for the development of the majority of electronic services.

To implement the Law on Public Electronic Registries, the government approved the procedure for establishing and launching electronic registries in 2023. At the core of this architecture is the Diia.Engine platform—an innovative low-code, open source solution that enables the rapid and secure deployment of digital registries, their integration, and the provision of automated services. More than 20 ministries already use the platform, demonstrating its scale and practical effectiveness. Registries already operating on Diia.Engine include the registry of damaged and destroyed property, the medical devices registry, and the registry of temporarily occupied territories.

Separate from Diia.Engine, a number of analytical platforms have been created that integrate with state registries but follow different architectures and serve different purposes. For example, the State Agrarian Registry processes data on agricultural producers, supports the implementation of agricultural policy, and enables targeted assistance and food security monitoring. In the environmental sector, the EcoSystem platform was launched to consolidate open ecological registries and provide access to data on the state of the environment. In 2024, the government also announced the launch of the Urban Planning Cadastre, which will unify all registries containing urban development data at both the national and regional levels.

During the full-scale war, the digital platform DREAM began operating. It aggregates information on reconstruction projects for housing, infrastructure, buildings, and roads at the national, regional, and local levels. DREAM integrates data from state registries and generates digital passports for each object in real time, enabling the public to track every stage of the reconstruction process. It aims to ensure transparency, trust, and coordination in rebuilding efforts.

Since 2020, Ukraine has demonstrated consistent and large-scale digital transformation in the field of entrepreneurship. To support small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs who are just starting out, the Diia.Business project was launched. The project consists of two components: an online portal that provides all the essential information for starting and developing a business and a network of consultation centers where entrepreneurs can receive free guidance, attend educational events, rent event spaces, and test their products. As of 2024, 14 such centers are operating in Ukraine, along with one in Poland—an important symbol of Ukrainian business presence abroad.

Later, in 2022, Parliament adopted the Law on Stimulating the Development of the Digital Economy in Ukraine. This legislation became the starting point for the launch of the Diia.City legal framework, which offers tax incentives, simplified registration, and support for large IT enterprises.

At the same time, Ukraine continues to integrate into the global digital space. The launch of the e-Residency program allowed foreign nationals—including citizens of India, Thailand, and Slovenia—to register as sole proprietors (FOPs) in Ukraine remotely via Diia, conduct business, and pay taxes. The full launch of the e-residency platform took place in 2024. By the end of that year, 300 foreign nationals had already submitted applications to join the program. According to estimates by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the initiative is expected to generate additional budget revenue and strengthen Ukraine’s image as a country that is friendly to entrepreneurship and digital solutions.

Ukraine demonstrates a systemic approach to reforming its financial institutions. In 2021, the government adopted the Strategy for the Digital Development of the Public Finance Management System until 2025. To implement it, the government enhanced existing platforms and developed new automated tools to ensure transparency and accountability in public finance. It improved the usability and expanded the functionality of the Transparent Budget portal, which now includes data on local budgets, spending units’ budgetary commitments, and the fulfillment of international obligations. The government also created a platform dedicated to military bonds aimed at promoting these securities among potential investors. At the regional level, the AIC LOGICA tool was introduced to support oversight of budget legislation compliance in local self-government bodies. Its purpose is to automate processes at every stage of local budget planning and execution.

The Law on Payment Services laid the foundation for the introduction of open banking—a new model of interaction between financial institutions and consumers that will take effect in Ukraine in August 2025. This mechanism allows banks to grant licensed third-party services (such as fintech companies) access to customer accounts, with the customer’s consent. It allows users to manage their finances through convenient digital applications, receive personalized offers, and choose better terms for payments or loans—while retaining full control over their data.

In the area of tax policy, the State Tax Service has significantly expanded the functionality of online taxpayer accounts by introducing the mobile app My Taxes. In the customs domain, the automated system Center was launched, and the provisions of the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure were implemented. This allows Ukraine to exchange customs information with 35 European countries and to use a single customs declaration through the NCTS system.

In addition to public administration and the expansion of access to electronic services, digital tools are being actively implemented across various areas of life—including education, culture, healthcare, housing policy, the financial sector, business management, and the social protection system.

As a continuation of the healthcare digitalization reform launched in 2017, the government approved its Development Concept in 2020. This provided the impetus for introducing a wide range of digital tools. Among them is the e-Blood platform, which enables oversight of all stages of the blood donation process—from donor registration to tracking and utilization of donated blood. The MedData system allows hospitals to exchange information on medicine inventories, actual needs, and existing stock. The e-Stock platform facilitates full-cycle management of medical goods, from procurement to disposal. Specialized digital systems also play a distinct role. These include the unified transplantation system, the epidemiological surveillance system, tools for monitoring socially significant diseases, and telemedicine solutions.

In the education system, the first notable step was the launch of the Diia.Digital Education platform in 2020, which attracted more than 6 million Ukrainians seeking to improve their digital skills. This success was followed by the launch of Diia.Education, a platform that promotes digital literacy through educational video series, simulations, and tests. The All-Ukrainian Online School, developed during the pandemic, became a tool for accessible distance and blended learning for middle school students. As of 2024, the platform has more than 820,000 users across over 80 countries. In parallel, the government focused on reforming the education management system. The mobile application Mriia (“Dream”) became a digital tool for automating school administrative processes, collecting student data, supporting student development, and ensuring equal access to educational content. The government also created the Automated Educational Management Information System (AEMIS)—an integrated platform for managing, coordinating, and automating educational processes across public institutions. It enables the optimization of state procurement for textbooks and educational documents, as well as enrollment and professional development processes for education sector staff.

In the social protection system, reforms are being implemented in accordance with the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of the Social Sphere, which aims to make social services as accessible, transparent, and automated as possible. The key tool in this process is the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere (UISSS), which has consolidated dozens of registries and established integrated channels for data exchange with other state resources. As a result, citizens can apply for assistance online without gathering paper documents and can track the status of their applications in their personal accounts. The Ministry of Social Policy’s web portal also operates based on this system.

With the onset of the full-scale war, digitalization acquired particular significance in the national security and defense sector. Although delayed, Parliament in early 2024 adopted the legal framework necessary for modernizing military registration. As a result, the Oberih system was launched—an electronic database of conscripts, reservists, and individuals liable for military service. It consolidates data from numerous state sources to form an integrated, paperless record-keeping system that eliminates duplication and the need for physical documents.

Digital tools are also being actively integrated into the military command and control system. In 2024, the Ministry of Defense launched the Army+ application for electronic document management within the Armed Forces. The app not only digitizes reports but is also intended to ensure transparency in decision-making. It is already in use by the Armed Forces and the State Special Transport Service and is expected to be extended to all branches of the defense forces.

The introduction of the SAP system (System Analysis Program Development), which is used by 28 NATO member states, has made it possible to organize supply chains and warehouse inventory more effectively and to support informed procurement decisions. The system is reinforced by the MoD Partner tool, which enables a new level of interaction between suppliers and defense structures through a unified digital platform—replacing the previously used fragmented and informal communication channels. Additionally, the DOT-Chain Defence System module, focused on unmanned aerial vehicles, ensures procurement transparency and enables monitoring of drone usage and deployment.

In addition, Ukraine has developed several analytical tools, including Kropyva (“Urtica”)—a tactical system for combat units that enables real-time automated command and control—and Avengers, a platform that leverages artificial intelligence to analyze drone video footage. The overall digital ecosystem of the defense forces is further supported by DELTA and its integrated product VEZHA (“Tower”), which synchronize intelligence data, battle maps, video streams, messaging platforms, and operational planning. These systems eliminate dependence on third-party services and ensure a secure environment for exchanging critically important information.

Since 2023, the BRAVE1 cluster has been operational. Within this cluster, engineers and military members jointly develop technologies for the front line—from software and drones to electronic warfare systems. BRAVE1 has become a convergence point of the military, engineering, and innovation.

What Hasn’t Worked?

Legislation in the field of digitalization remains fragmented due to the abundance of framework laws, each regulating a separate aspect without a cohesive, system-wide vision. This has resulted in situations where different legal acts may contradict one another or assign the same function to multiple government agencies.

Security remains a key concern in the development of digitalization. Although Ukraine adopted the Cybersecurity Strategy for 2021–2025, by the end of 2024, just over half of its objectives had been met. Similarly, the previous strategy, adopted in 2016, was implemented by only 40%. This indicates systemic—rather than situational—issues in cybersecurity management.

In December 2024, Ukraine experienced its most extensive cyberattack on state registries to date. Key systems of the Ministry of Justice were temporarily taken offline, which also disrupted the operation of the Diia app. The attack was carried out by hackers linked to Russia’s GRU. It revealed critical vulnerabilities in government systems and highlighted the urgent need to rethink approaches to building vital digital infrastructure, implement more attack-resilient solutions, and continue aligning with international digital security standards.

At the same time, debates persist in Ukraine over the openness of registries under martial law. The initial reason for restricting access to registries in 2022 was to protect critical infrastructure, safeguard personal data, and reduce risks to defense enterprises. Gradually, some registries have begun to reopen. Prior to the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s data openness rate stood at nearly 58%; as of March 2025, it had fallen to 44%.

Since August 2024, Bill No. 11533—concerning the restriction of access to information about defense-related facilities in state registries—has been under consideration in Parliament. The bill stipulates that the restrictions would apply during martial law and for one year after its conclusion or repeal. Civil society organizations, including the Anti-Corruption Action Center, the Institute of Mass Information, and the DEJURE Foundation, have criticized the draft law, arguing it would significantly hinder the detection of corruption schemes, deprive journalists of opportunities to conduct investigations and curtail public oversight. Conversely, the Ukrainian Armament Manufacturers Council supports the initiative, asserting that open registries enable the enemy to plan cyberattacks and missile strikes on defense targets.

The most critical concerns regarding the bill center on its proposal to broadly anonymize information about real estate. Specifically, location data would include only the country, region, and district—omitting exact addresses and cadastral numbers of land plots. Critics argue this would create opportunities for abuse.

In September–October 2024, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted its fifth nationwide survey on using state digital services and internet access, commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine. According to the findings, the digitalization of public services in Ukraine still faces a number of challenges.

For example, there is a downward trend in the use of electronic services—from 64% in 2023 to 55% in 2024. Age-related inequality is particularly acute: while 73% of respondents aged 18–29 reported using digital public services, only 22% of those over 70 did so. At the same time, more and more citizens report lacking digital skills (the share of affirmative responses rose from 27% to 44% in a year), along with growing distrust of electronic services (from 16.5% to 26%).

Additional barriers to the broader adoption of digital public services include socio-economic factors and accessibility challenges. People with low income levels are much less likely to use electronic services—41% compared to 72% among more affluent citizens—and a quarter of the population is entirely unaware that such services exist. Particularly vulnerable groups include rural residents, where internet usage dropped from 74% to 67%, and people living in eastern regions, where service usage is the lowest at just 46%.

These trends are also reflected in data from the Digital Transformation Index. As of the end of 2024, the average regional score stood at 0.497 out of a possible 1. The greatest challenges remain the digitalization of territorial communities and the development of the digital economy at the local level. The same holds true for the population’s digital skills. Among the sub-indexes, the lowest score—just 0.421—was recorded for the implementation of the “paperless” regime, indicating that electronic document workflows, registry digitization, and the use of digital documents are still underdeveloped in many communities.

In addition, Ukraine’s Law on Virtual Assets has been unable to take effect for several years. The law was intended to legalize the virtual asset market, define the rights of market participants, and establish a clear state policy in this sphere. However, it can only enter into force once the relevant provisions are incorporated into the Tax Code—a step that has yet to be taken. Moreover, the State Register of Virtual Asset Service Providers has not been created, which is another prerequisite for the law’s implementation. As a result, Ukraine’s virtual asset market remains unregulated.

What’s Next?

Ukraine has made rapid progress in digitalization. The war has accelerated adaptation and prompted the emergence of new services that were not part of the original plan but became essential. These include military bonds, the e-Enemy chatbot, e-Support payments, the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and other initiatives aimed at supporting national defense, economic resilience, and social protection for Ukrainians.

It is crucial to continue actively advancing in digital transformation without slowing down: 

• Personalized digital support for service members and their families must be ensured, with unified assistance provided throughout the entire service path. 
• Defense-oriented digital technologies need to be scaled up.
• Further European integration is essential. As of the end of 2024, Ukraine had fulfilled 71% of the EU Association Agreement requirements in science, technology, innovation, space, and digital integration. Continued alignment of Ukrainian digital legislation with EU standards is needed—particularly in areas such as data protection and AI regulation.
• Cybersecurity must be strengthened. In 2024, the number of cyber incidents increased by 49.2% compared to 2022. In view of this, the state must focus on enhancing cybersecurity—both by improving rapid response to cyberattacks and by expanding the capacity to detect threats in real time.
• Reform of local digital infrastructure is necessary. In 2020, the government adopted Resolution No. 194, requiring each ministry and other central executive body to appoint a deputy head of the respective institution responsible for digital development, transformation, and digitalization (Chief Digital Transformation Officer, or CDTO). Similar positions should also be introduced at the community level. There, CDTOs would be responsible for implementing digital solutions, coordinating local initiatives, and connecting the community to the national digital infrastructure through the Diia.Digital Community project. To reduce infrastructure inequality between urban and rural areas, the Internet subsidy program must be expanded, and every community should establish an integrated digital services center where residents can access public services, digital education, and advisory support. In addition, each territorial community should introduce the position of a digital transformation leader.
• Ukraine should promote the export of its GovTech model. It is worth cooperating with Western partners, as Ukraine can share its digital solutions.
• Digital education must be scaled up. In 2024, relevant educational materials encouraged the population to either start using electronic services or improve their digital literacy: under their influence, 17.1% began using e-services, 10.9% improved their digital skills, and 21.9% did both simultaneously. Educational products for acquiring digital skills should be consolidated into a single platform with personalized learning paths for users.
• Build on efforts to formalize the development and implementation of digital solutions in emergency situations—ensuring clear launch protocols, defined responsibilities, standardized technical templates, and integration into the unified e-governance architecture. Foundations must also be laid for digital planning focused on flexibility, contingency scenarios, and risk resilience—so that crisis-era services become the norm rather than the exception within the state’s digital infrastructure.