‘Diia can be a model for how governments approach digital transformation,’ Visa Executive Chairman Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. states at ‘Diia in DC’

KYIV, May 30, 2023 — On May 23, 2023, Visa Executive Chairman Alfred F. Kelly Jr. participated in the ‘Diia in DC’, an event organized in collaboration between USAID and Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, and made possible with support from UK Aid, Eurasia Foundation, Visa, and Diia.Education / supported by Google.org. The event was dedicated to Ukraine's digital transformation accomplishments and the Ukrainian e-government platform and super-app, Diia, in particular.

Joined by other distinguished guests, including USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova, and Ambassador Pamela Spratlen, Chair of Eurasia Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Al Kelly highlighted the role of public-private partnership in supporting Ukraine’s e-governance journey. In an address, he expressed admiration for Minister Fedorov and his team’s work, highlighting the efficient and mutually beneficial partnership between the Ukrainian government and Visa, and affirming the company’s unchanging support of Ukraine’s digital journey.

“I am proud of Visa’s work with Vice Prime Minister Fedorov and Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, in developing Diia into the groundbreaking platform it is today, and credit our collective success to USAID’s partnership and Administrator Power’s leadership in supporting e-government innovation globally,” said Alfred F. Kelly Jr., Executive Chairman, Visa. “We believe Diia can be a model for how governments approach digital transformation, effectively leveraging public and private partnerships – and putting Visa’s unrivaled technology to work – to help bring digital access to more citizens, small businesses, and government partners around the world.”

Visa’s fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has continued for over three years after both parties signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation (MoU) in November 2019, undertaking to promote the development of payment infrastructure, drive financial inclusion and support Ukrainian SMEs. In 2021, Ukraine became the first country in the region of Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa whose financial component was connected to Cybersource by Visa, enabling digital payments for administrative government services through the Diia web platform and mobile app.

“We are grateful for your contribution to the creation of the Ukrainian digital state. I’d like each of you to leave today with the understanding that you are social investors in the transformation of Ukraine, you help create opportunities for Ukrainians, promote equity and even save lives,” said Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov of Ukraine to all the partners, adding, “Visa became one of the first companies with which the Ministry of Digital Transformation began to cooperate since its creation in 2019 and has supported the development of the Diia.Business network of entrepreneur support centers,” bringing the company as an example of successful private-public partnership for other businesses.

The first Diia.Business consulting center for SMEs was opened three years ago on May 28 in Kharkiv with Visa’s support, and since then, the network has significantly grown covering many regions of Ukraine. Last August Visa helped to restore and re-launch Diia.Business center in Bucha.

The company also supports the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s education programs, having provided 56 grants to Ukrainian women to learn new creative and tech professions after losing their jobs during the conflict time. In early 2023 Jointly with the Ministry and Diia.Business network Visa launched female business accelerator “Vidvazhna” (She is Courageous) – a 6 month educational and mentorship program supporting and boosting female small and micro entrepreneurs in Ukraine.

The first-ever ‘Diia in DC’ event was held in Washington DC, USA. As a close partner of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Visa has supported organization of Diia Summits for several years, both in the country and abroad.

About Visa Inc.

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at visa.com.ua

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