A platform for borderless living, Multipolitan, has released a Digital State Project report examining how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and the metaverse are reshaping statehood, governance and citizenship.
The Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Multipolitan, Mr Nirbhay Handa, disclosed this during a webinar organised to unveil the report on Wednesday in Lagos.
Handa noted that digital tools were transforming how governments interact with citizens and residents.
According to him, the report argues that in the coming years, people will increasingly “log into” countries through digital identity platforms rather than rely solely on physical borders.
“Digital identity systems now determine access to public services, voting platforms, financial systems and cross-border mobility.
“Many governments are redesigning public services to meet the expectations of young, digitally skilled populations who demand speed, transparency and convenience,” he said.
Handa said the report brought together case studies and expert analyses from countries already deploying advanced digital governance models, including Estonia, Ukraine and Palau.
The report noted that Estonia has built a comprehensive e-government system that allows citizens to conduct most government transactions online, significantly reducing cost and bureaucracy.
It also highlighted Ukraine’s Diia platform, which delivers digital public services through mobile applications, even during periods of conflict.
In addition, the report examined Palau’s digital residency programme, which allows non-citizens to hold state-backed digital identities, expanding the concept of citizenship beyond geographical boundaries.
Handa said the report discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in governance, including the use of intelligent systems to automate service delivery and enhance policy planning.
According to Multipolitan, the report is intended to serve as a practical reference for policymakers developing digital identity frameworks and modern public institutions.
“The report is designed as a practical toolkit for government leaders, regulators, technology builders and investors working at the intersection of governance and emerging technologies,” Handa said.
He added that the publication also explored emerging concepts such as digital citizenship, e-governance, virtual cities, space sovereignty and the role of the metaverse in human connection and nation branding.
The report features interviews and analyses from global experts, including James Ellsmoor of Island Innovation and William Wang of Palau’s Digital Residency Programme.
It also includes contributions from Oleksandr Bornyakov, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, and Luukas Ilves, former Chief Information Officer of Estonia, who outlined how artificial intelligence is helping governments automate and personalise public services.
