UNDP to Launch Blockchain Academy for Governments in 2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced plans to establish a “Government Blockchain Academy” aimed at equipping public sector entities with knowledge and practical skills in blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies. The initiative, set to begin in 2026, is a collaboration with the Exponential Science Foundation, a nonprofit advocating for blockchain and AI adoption.
Driving Transformative Change in Public Sector
The Academy’s core mission is to provide specialized education and implementation programs that enable governments to leverage new technologies for transformative development. UNDP emphasized that the program will help countries transition from experimental blockchain projects to scalable, impactful solutions that enhance transparency, inclusion, and resilience in governance.
Irena Cerovic, UNDP’s team leader for Europe and Central Asia, highlighted the academy’s goal to empower governments to address complex development challenges innovatively while reinforcing public trust.
Focus Areas: Digital Identity, Financial Inclusion, and Anti-Corruption
The academy will focus on practical applications such as creating trusted digital credentials to improve access to public services, expanding financial services and digital payments, and enhancing public procurement processes through tamper-resistant recordkeeping. Additionally, it will explore the use of tokens and smart contracts for climate finance initiatives, including the tracking of carbon credits.
Implementation Timeline and Delivery
While the UNDP has not specified exact launch dates, it plans to roll out the academy in select countries starting in 2026. Curriculum development is underway in 2024. Training will be delivered via a combination of in-person sessions, online courses, and forums to provide governments with structured support for developing blockchain initiatives aligned with national priorities.
Building on Previous Blockchain Education Efforts
This new government-focused academy complements a blockchain education program launched by UNDP in late 2023 in partnership with the Algorand Foundation. That program trained over 22,000 UNDP staff members to integrate blockchain knowledge into sustainable development projects worldwide.
By fostering blockchain literacy and implementation capacity within governments, the UNDP aims to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth globally.
FinOracleAI — Market View
The UNDP’s initiative to establish a Government Blockchain Academy signals increased institutional support for blockchain adoption in the public sector, especially in developing countries. By focusing on practical use cases like digital identity, financial inclusion, and anti-corruption, the program could catalyze broader governmental integration of crypto and blockchain technologies.
Risks include potential delays in rollout and the challenge of translating education into effective policy and implementation. Market participants should monitor early pilot programs and government engagement levels as indicators of the academy’s impact.
Impact: positive
