Indonesia's accelerating digital transformation continues to draw national and regional attention. The release of the latest Indonesia digital index by IMDI, showing a national score of 44.53, offers a valuable perspective on how the country is progressing. While infrastructure stands out as the strongest pillar, empowerment remains the lowest contributor to the overall score. Understanding this contrast is essential for evaluating Indonesia’s readiness to compete in an increasingly digital global economy.

The Indonesia digital index serves as a benchmark for multiple aspects of digital readiness, including connectivity, human capital, regulation and adoption. The latest findings underscore the duality of progress: strong investment in digital infrastructure has not yet translated into equal levels of empowerment and community participation. With digital policymaking now closely tied to economic growth strategies, this imbalance reveals key areas that require deeper intervention.

This article examines the implications of the 44.53 score, breaks down its components and explains why empowerment must catch up with infrastructure. By exploring trends, policy impact and strategic next steps, it presents a grounded view of where Indonesia currently stands and what is needed to drive digital inclusion more holistically.

Infrastructure Performance And National Readiness

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Indonesia digital index is the strength of the infrastructure indicator. The score reflects widespread expansion of internet access, digital connectivity and supporting facilities. For years, the government has prioritised broadband networks, data centres and 4G and 5G penetration. These investments have helped push connectivity beyond major urban areas, enabling new digital opportunities in regions previously underserved.

Telecommunications providers have also played a central role. Public and private sector collaboration has expanded coverage, reduced access gaps and introduced cloud-based services that support both industry and education. The index confirms that these investments are having measurable impact.

However, infrastructure alone does not define digital maturity. While the Indonesia digital index recognises successful expansion of physical and technological networks, it also highlights that infrastructure must be matched with human and institutional readiness. Without adequate adoption, empowerment and skills development, the infrastructure advantage cannot translate into productivity and competitiveness.

This imbalance is not uncommon in emerging economies that move quickly to build infrastructure but encounter delays in adoption and utilisation. Still, it presents a crucial insight: Indonesia has laid the groundwork, but must now bridge the gap between access and engagement.

Empowerment As The Weakest Performing Pillar

The Indonesia digital index indicates that empowerment is the lowest scoring component. This reflects several realities. While individuals and institutions have access to digital tools, their ability to use them productively remains limited. Digital literacy, inclusion and community participation have not grown at the same rate as infrastructure.

Empowerment includes factors such as skills training, user capability, local innovation and access to platforms that support education, business and public services. In many regions, these aspects are still evolving. Communities may have internet access but lack the knowledge or confidence to utilize it for economic or social advancement.

The digital divide is not only about connectivity but also about capacity. If businesses and individuals do not understand how to harness digital platforms, the infrastructure remains underutilized. The Indonesia digital index warns that without greater focus on empowerment, digital transformation will be uneven and potentially limited to certain sectors or demographics.

Empowerment also intersects with policy support, industry collaboration and education systems. For example, programs that connect schools, rural enterprises and public service institutions to digital tools are essential. Without them, even well-built networks do not translate into impact.

Policy Implications And Strategic Direction

The findings of the Indonesia digital index create a roadmap for future decision-making. Infrastructure is no longer the primary barrier. The challenge now lies in translating digital readiness into productive outcomes. Policymakers must reevaluate how training, access and incentives are distributed.

To strengthen empowerment, human capital development must be integrated into national strategies. Digital skills training, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions, will play a vital role. Upskilling programs for micro, small and medium enterprises can help them adopt digital tools for commerce, logistics and financial management.

In addition, local governments hold a significant role in driving empowerment. Regional disparities in digital literacy and adoption must be addressed through cooperation between central institutions, private sector partners and community organizations.

The Indonesia digital index offers a tool for monitoring progress, but the data must be used to shape targeted initiatives. For example, districts with low empowerment scores can receive specialized programs, while infrastructure leaders can be used as models for replication.

The score of 44.53 highlights that Indonesia is in a transitional phase. The country has moved past early-stage connectivity challenges and is entering a new stage where digital behavior, user capability and adoption patterns determine future competitiveness.

The Role Of Industry And Education Sectors

Empowerment cannot be achieved purely through government initiatives. The private sector and educational institutions are equally important in shaping the next stages of the Indonesia digital index.

Businesses can accelerate adoption by digitalizing operations, supporting workforce training and partnering with local communities. Technology companies, startups and telecommunications providers have opportunities to create solutions tailored to local needs, particularly in agriculture, health, retail and services.

Educational institutions also play a crucial role in closing the skills gap. Updating curricula, integrating digital tools in classrooms and offering vocational training can build stronger foundations for digital literacy. Collaboration between universities and industry players can foster innovation ecosystems that support practical adoption.

The Indonesia digital index shows that empowerment is not a one-dimensional issue. It requires synergy among learning, workforce development and access to technology ecosystems. Without attention to these areas, improvements in infrastructure will not produce the intended impact.

Regional Opportunities And Digital Inclusion

Digital inclusion remains central to Indonesia’s long-term strategy. The index points to potential for growth outside major cities. Regions that now have infrastructure access must be supported with tools, mentorship and incentives that encourage usage.

Local innovation hubs, digital community centers and training facilities can dramatically improve empowerment. The Indonesia digital index emphasizes that inclusion is not only a social objective but also an economic one. Expanding participation increases the pool of digital talent, boosts entrepreneurship and improves public service delivery.

There is also an opportunity to link digital adoption with other national agendas such as smart cities, e-government services and sustainable development. By connecting infrastructure advantages with inclusive policies, Indonesia can leverage its digital base to address broader socio-economic challenges.

Looking Ahead: Converting Readiness Into Impact

The Indonesia digital index score of 44.53 provides both validation and warning. It validates years of investment in connectivity and infrastructure. At the same time, it warns that the country must accelerate efforts in empowerment to avoid uneven development.

For Indonesia to take full advantage of its digital head start, empowerment must become a central focus. People, businesses and institutions need to be equipped not only with access but also with skills, support and practical use cases.

This transition will determine how quickly digital transformation translates into growth. As infrastructure reaches maturity, the next defining chapter will be written by how effectively Indonesia builds capacity at every level of society.

By paying attention to the insights behind the Indonesia digital index, policymakers, industries and communities can work together to create a more inclusive and competitive digital economy.