Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has urged Papua New Guinea to fully embrace digital transformation, saying that ICT and artificial intelligence (AI) will be the central drivers of the country’s next 50 years of national development, economic growth, and public-sector efficiency.

Speaking at the opening of the Digital Transformation Summit 2025 in Port Moresby, Prime Minister Marape welcomed participants from around the world, including global ICT leaders, academics, industry experts, software developers, hardware specialists, and international development partners.

He said the Summit comes at a defining moment — just as Papua New Guinea steps out of its 50th independence anniversary and enters a new era of reform under the Reset PNG@50 agenda.

Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the attendance of Ministers of State,  ICT Minister Hon.Peter Tsiamalil Jr, Australian High Commissioner, heads of departments, and key stakeholders from across government and industry.

He extended a special welcome to international delegates:

“You are all welcome to the most diverse nation on planet Earth. We hold 67 percent of the world’s biodiversity — both marine and terrestrial — and over 800 languages, each with its own cultural structure. Fifty years ago, we stood on our own. Fifty years later, we remain one people, one nation, under one democratic constitution.”

PM Marape added that PNG’s unity is anchored in rule of law and Christian faith, which together hold its extraordinary diversity intact.The Prime Minister said the Government had deliberately prioritised ICT from 2019 onward because modern digital tools create transparency, efficiency, accountability, and equitable access to services.

He emphasised that artificial intelligence now presents a transformational opportunity for the country:

“ICT will drive us into a merit-based society, an efficient workforce, and an accountable economy. Digital transformation is here to stay. The world is moving fast — we cannot afford to be left behind.”

He noted examples of global leaders in digital transformation — Estonia, Singapore, India, Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Australia, South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States — saying PNG must adapt the best global standards to leapfrog into the future.

“The beauty of PNG is that we are starting almost on a greenfield. We can pick the best systems the world offers — secure, efficient, transformative products — and bypass decades of trial and error.”

Prime Minister Marape said key priorities include:

•        Digital national identity

•        Digital payment systems

•        Connectivity for SMEs

•        Online learning access for students

•        Remote access to markets for rural entrepreneurs

•        ICT-driven transparency in government operations

He stressed that ICT is essential for bridging inequalities: “A farmer in Jiwaka, a mother selling in a small food store, a student learning online, an entrepreneur in metropolitan PNG — all must benefit from ICT. This must be the platform that carries PNG into the next 50 years.”

PM Marape highlighted that Parliament passed the ICT Act in 2020, laying the foundation for PNG’s digital future. He said the Government is now ready to fast-track digital reforms across the public and private sectors.

On artificial intelligence, he challenged global companies to deliver responsible and secure products:“If someone can provide a product with strong security features that eliminates pornography, reduces hate speech, and enhances productivity, then that is the product PNG wants.”

The Prime Minister said PNG’s economic performance over the past four years places the country in a strong position to support major digital investments.

Coming out of the COVID-19 downturn, PNG has recorded four consecutive years of 4%-plus GDP growth, including in the non-mining and non-petroleum sectors. “The World Bank and IMF estimate our 2024 growth at around 4.5 to 4.6 percent, and we expect similar growth next year. For the first time in our history, we have had four straight years at around 4 percent growth.”

He reaffirmed his long-term ambition to grow PNG into a K200 billion economy to support its expanding population and development needs.

PM Marape also emphasised PNG’s strategic location:

•        A bridge between Asia and the Pacific

•        A Western-style democracy with an independent court system

•        A stable marketplace for global ICT investors

•         A neutral, secure location for data centres, satellite infrastructure, and fibre-based technologies

He said major reforms are underway to strengthen PNG’s judiciary, including the introduction of a three-tier court system to enhance dispute resolution and improve investor confidence.

The Prime Minister invited global tech companies — from Oracle to Google to SpaceX and others — to consider PNG as a neutral and strategically located home for their data and cloud infrastructure.

He said PNG’s vast renewable energy potential positions the country to become a regional hub for powering data centres: “Our hydro potential is second to none. Combined with geothermal, solar, and wind, PNG can offer clean energy to drive the next generation of global data infrastructure.”

PM Marape ended by encouraging delegates to use the Summit as a platform to shape PNG’s next chapter:

“The world is moving in this space — let us find ICT platforms and products that embrace our diversity, make us safer, and help grow our businesses and our country. May we use digital transformation to deliver prosperity for our people.”

He thanked all partners and stakeholders and reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to a transparent, connected, and technology-driven future.