The UNDP Government Blockchain Academy is a new UNDP program to train governments on blockchain and AI to improve digital ID, financial inclusion, public procurement transparency and climate finance tracking, with rollout starting in selected countries in 2026.
-
What it does: Trains public servants on blockchain, AI, digital credentials and payments.
-
How it will deploy: Curriculum design in 2025, phased country launches from 2026.
-
Expected impact: Better transparency, inclusion, and tamper-resistant recordkeeping for development programs.
UNDP Government Blockchain Academy: trains governments on blockchain and AI to boost digital ID, finance and transparency — learn how national teams can participate today.
UNDP Government Blockchain Academy will provide specialized education and implementation support to help governments harness blockchain, AI and related technologies to drive inclusive economic growth and stronger public-sector transparency.
Published: 2025-09-16 | Updated: 2025-09-16
What is the UNDP Government Blockchain Academy?
The UNDP Government Blockchain Academy is a UNDP initiative to teach public sector teams how to deploy blockchain and AI for development priorities. The program combines curriculum design, in-person and online training, and implementation support to move governments from pilot projects to scalable, impact-driven solutions.
How will the Academy support financial services and digital ID?
The Academy will focus on practical applications: issuing trusted digital credentials, expanding access to digital payments, and designing blockchain-enabled pathways for identity verification. These measures aim to increase inclusion in financial services and reduce friction in public service delivery.
Why is the UNDP launching a Government Blockchain Academy?
UNDP says the Academy will help countries harness emerging technologies to tackle poverty and accelerate economic growth. The organization expects blockchain and AI to strengthen transparency, inclusion and resilience in public systems, especially in procurement, identity systems and climate finance tracking.
What countries and data informed this move?
UNDP cites rising adoption of crypto and blockchain tools in developing markets, with nations such as India, Pakistan and Vietnam showing notable uptake in 2025 (data reported by industry analyses). The Academy builds on UNDP’s earlier blockchain training for staff and public-sector partners.
When will the Academy roll out and how will it operate?
The UNDP says curriculum design will start in 2025, with initial country launches planned from 2026. Training formats will include in-person workshops, online modules and forum events to provide structured support for high-impact, nationally aligned blockchain initiatives.
How will governments move from experimentation to implementation?
UNDP plans a program of phased support: assessment and strategy, pilot design, capacity-building for government teams, and implementation assistance that embeds transparent procurement and tamper-resistant records. The approach prioritizes measurable outcomes and cross-sector collaboration.
How could blockchain be applied in public procurement and climate finance?
Use cases highlighted include blockchain-based traceability for procurement, tamper-resistant ledgers to reduce corruption, and tokenized mechanisms for tracking carbon credits and climate finance flows. These applications aim to improve auditability and program integrity.
What experience does UNDP bring and who are the partners?
UNDP previously launched a blockchain academy and partnered with organizations such as the Algorand Foundation to train staff. For the Government Blockchain Academy UNDP will collaborate with the Exponential Science Foundation and other stakeholders to co-design curricula and implementation frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the UNDP Government Blockchain Academy?
National and local government officials, public-sector technologists, and partner organizations working on digital ID, payments, procurement and climate finance can join Academy programs through country engagements and targeted capacity-building tracks.
Will the Academy provide funding for pilot projects?
The Academy focuses on education and implementation support; funding arrangements for pilots will be negotiated by participating governments and partners as part of country-level programs and resource mobilization efforts.
How does the Academy protect citizens’ data and privacy?
Curricula emphasize privacy-preserving design, data governance, and regulatory alignment. Technical tracks include privacy-by-design principles and safeguards for digital credentials and identity systems.
Key Takeaways
- Practical training: Academy offers in-person and online programs to move governments from pilots to production.
- Priority use cases: Digital ID, payments, procurement traceability, and climate finance tracking.
- Phased rollout: Curriculum design in 2025, initial country launches beginning in 2026 — national teams should prepare to engage.
Conclusion
The UNDP Government Blockchain Academy represents a coordinated effort to embed blockchain and AI expertise within governments to support economic growth, transparency and inclusion. Governments interested in digital credentialing, payments expansion or procurement reform should begin internal assessments and stakeholder outreach ahead of the 2026 rollout. For updates and program details, monitor UNDP announcements and official UNDP communications.
