Data for Common Purpose: Enabling Colombia’s Transition to a Data-Driven Economy

The report details Project Moonshot, a pilot data exchange in Colombia aimed at accelerating the country's transition to a data-driven economy. It emphasizes the necessity of trustworthy public-private data exchanges to overcome regional 'development traps' and meet 2050 carbon-reduction targets. The document proposes a federated data system using APIs and X-Road technology to balance data protection with innovation. It highlights a critical lack of trust among Colombian citizens regarding data consent and suggests standardized, transparent mechanisms to improve engagement. Additionally, the report advocates for an impact-based approach to data valuation, specifically within the energy sector, to facilitate the net-zero transition through 'Energy-as-a-Service' models and the integration of renewable energy.

• Colombia is utilizing its National Development Plan to transition to a data-driven economy, with initiatives including declaring internet access a national public service, creating a national ethical framework for AI, and establishing a National Data Infrastructure Plan (NDIP).
• Project Moonshot serves as Colombia's first pilot data exchange platform, acting as a regulatory sandbox to identify data-policy environments that promote sustainable development and inclusive growth.
• To balance data protection and innovation, Colombia is committing to decentralized and federated data systems where ownership and control remain with individuals and institutions, utilizing APIs to enforce local governance policies.
• There is a significant deficit of trust among connected Colombians regarding data control; a 2021 Visa study found that only 9% feel completely in control of their data, and 89% desire more control.
• Standardization of consent requests is viewed as a primary driver for increasing data sharing, with 83% of connected Colombians more likely to give permission if consent requests are standardized.
• The report argues for an impact-based approach to data valuation that measures the financial value of intended social and economic outcomes rather than relying on traditional data monetization or philanthropy models.
• In the energy sector, data exchanges are deemed critical for meeting Colombia's 2050 carbon-reduction targets and managing the net-zero transition by enabling 'Energy-as-a-Service' business models.
• Despite the mandate for decarbonization, the power and utilities sector remains skeptical of digital transformation; a 2019 PwC study showed respondents expected only 10.2% cumulative revenue gains from digital investments over five years.

APA

World Economic Forum (2021). Data for Common Purpose: Enabling Colombia’s Transition to a Data-Driven Economy. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Enabling_Colombia%E2%80%99s_Transition_to_a_Data_Driven_Economy_2021.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Data for Common Purpose: Enabling Colombia’s Transition to a Data-Driven Economy. 2021. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Enabling_Colombia%E2%80%99s_Transition_to_a_Data_Driven_Economy_2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Data for Common Purpose: Enabling Colombia’s Transition to a Data-Driven Economy |date=December 2021 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Enabling_Colombia%E2%80%99s_Transition_to_a_Data_Driven_Economy_2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2021data, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Data for Common Purpose: Enabling Colombia’s Transition to a Data-Driven Economy}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = dec, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Enabling_Colombia%E2%80%99s_Transition_to_a_Data_Driven_Economy_2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }