Skopje, 19 December 2025 (MIA) – We’ve shown that digital transformation isn’t treated like a technical project, but as a social reform. Which is why it is important today to discuss the four pillars of the strategy for the benefit of the citizens and the companies, said Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski speaking to reporters before Friday’s conference “Transforming the future: A digital strategy for a modern society”, organized with support by the Regional School for Public Administration (ReSPA) and the European Union.

The goal of the National ICT Development Strategy – SMART/MK 2030, a document aligned with the European Digital Decade and the Development Agenda, is for Macedonia to make the next big step in digital transformation

The document is designed to include the country in the group of progressive countries by modernizing public services, support innovations and create conditions for new investments.

According to the minister, current results show serious progress, but a lot of hard work needs to be done to achieve full potential.

Macedonia, said Andonovski, has climbed up in digital global indexes.

“In 2023, we were in the B category of countries, from 85th to 120th place, ranked 130th. This year we jump up 22 spots ranking 79th being in the group of progressive countries undergoing digital transformation. In the top, let’s say, 80 countries in the world. Similar ranking to ours have Lithuania, Latvia, New Zealand, Malta, meaning we have made a significant progress in less than couple of years. There is still room for improvement. I cannot be satisfied with being 79th, but it’s good motivation,” said Minister Andonovski.

He said the citizens will feel the effects from the strategy when asked by reporters.

“I hope in the next index in two years we will jump 20 to 30 spots up and we’ll produce real results that will be felt. It’s an esteemed index, which puts us on the map of digitally developed counties, which is interesting from the point of view of new projects, donators and investors. It will be a good sign for support for what the ministry and the government has been doing,” Andonovski added.

Asked about the priorities of the implementation, he said it will focus on digitization of public services and support of innovations.

“The first pillar is infrastructure, that will be the first panel; the second panel is digital skills, the importance of digital skills for our citizens, with a target of at least half of the population having intermediate-level digital skills by 2030, then we have digital governance or services, something we are already working on, and of course the fourth part is artificial intelligence, new technologies and the role of the business environment and how to encourage innovation in the business sector,” Minister Andonovski stated.

The goal, he added, is the citizens to be provided with faster and more efficient services and the companies to have better conditions for development and innovations.

“Fresh opportunities for young people will be created to have ICT careers here, in Macedonia," said Andonovski.

Promoting the strategy, the government has announced strengthened activities for digital transformation, modernization of the institutions and creation of a favourable climate for investors and donors allowing Macedonia to position itself as a regional leader in digital development.

Photo: MIA