On April 14, 2025, the CDTO Annual Forum brought together the key drivers of digital transformation in Ukraine to outline strategic priorities under the national WINWIN Strategy for Digital Innovation Development and officially announce the expansion of the Chief Digital Transformation Officers' mandate to include innovation leadership.
As of April 2025, 61 CDTOs are active in Ukraine: 17 in ministries, 29 in central executive bodies, and 15 in regional military administrations. Their role has now expanded significantly. Under the updated government framework, CDTOs are no longer limited to digital transformation. They will now coordinate innovation projects, foster innovation ecosystems, and collaborate with businesses, academic institutions, and educational platforms to implement technologies across sectors. This model ensures Ukraine’s governance is agile, effective, and future-ready.
"CDTOs are essential drivers of Ukraine’s digital transformation, helping us advance our mission to build the most convenient digital state for both citizens and tech-driven businesses. Starting this year, we are expanding their mandate: they will now be responsible not only for digitalization but also for innovation. This enables us to develop breakthrough ideas, deploy emerging technologies, build partnerships, and strengthen regional development. We also plan to evolve the institution of the CDTO itself — accelerating change across ministries, public bodies, and regions," said Mykhailo FedorovVice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science, and Technology — Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
New Mandate, Broader Impact
The extended CDTO mandate will cover priority sectors critical to Ukraine’s future:
- Defense innovation and emerging tech for security
- Digital health, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices
- Alternative energy and energy efficiency
- AgriTech and food security solutions
- Advanced transport, aviation, and shipbuilding
- Environmental innovation and circular economy
- New materials and nanotechnology
- Robotics, AI, and IT development
"With the adoption of the Innovation and Digital Development Strategy through 2030, we’ve entered a new phase where CDTOs are not only digital reformers but also strategic leaders of innovation. Their extended mandate empowers them to develop and implement innovation-driven solutions at all levels of public administration. CDTOs helped make digital transformation tangible and accessible — now they will do the same for innovation: advancing our recovery, shaping new solutions, and improving the quality of lifem" said Valeriya IonanDeputy Minister for European Integration, Ministry of Digital Transformation
CDTOs as Innovation Catalysts under the WINWIN Strategy
The expanded CDTO function is a key component of Ukraine’s WINWIN Strategy for Digital Innovation Development, which envisions:
- Developing technologies and launching products with a global impact
- Opening markets for both Ukrainian and international tech businesses
- Building an innovation-driven economy and a globally competitive state
- Strengthening national resilience and human capital through innovation
"Digital transformation today goes beyond just technology — it’s a way of strategic thinking and a lever of systemic change in our economy. Expanding the powers of CDTOs is about introducing a new quality of innovation management across government. At the core of this transformation is trust, partnership, and a professional community committed to results. Together, we can make Ukraine a country where innovation is not occasional but structural — driving real, lasting impact," said Victor LiakhPresident of East Europe Foundation.
The strategy prioritizes key sectors such as defense, health, energy, environment, education, and infrastructure recovery — using innovation to address Ukraine’s most pressing economic, social, and technological challenges.
The CDTO Annual Forum was organized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the «E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP)» Programme, implemented by East Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland.
