100 days of the Ministry of Digital Affairs: An interim assessment

100 days ago, the newly created Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation (BMDS) began its work – with high expectations and a clear mandate to finally make Germany digitally fit for the future. Time to take stock: What has been achieved, where are the sticking points, and what tasks still lie ahead?

Initial successes and visible signs

The ministry sent clear signals in its first few months. For example, the coordination of key digital issues across five ministries and the Federal Chancellery was successfully consolidated in order to close long-standing gaps in responsibility. With the presentation of an agenda for digital sovereignty and new initiatives for administrative modernisation, the first concrete steps have been taken. In addition to the introduction of the NOOTS state treaty in the Bundestag, the establishment of the inter-ministerial committee of state secretaries for state modernisation and bureaucracy reduction is also worth mentioning. A dedicated AI platform for the German administration is currently in the works.

Another milestone is the accelerated expansion of urgently needed telecommunications networks. The amendment to the Telecommunications Act (TKG) that has come into force will speed up the approval process for network expansion. Further amendments to the TKG are planned, and a special fund with additional resources for network expansion is in the pipeline.

The ministry is also positioning itself internationally: with a clear focus on cloud infrastructures and data spaces, it wants to ensure that Germany does not fall behind in the European competition. A first step is the joint application with France, Italy and the Netherlands to establish the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) for Digital Commons – a new European infrastructure for digital commons such as open source. The launch of the AI Service Desk at the Federal Network Agency offers advice to companies on issues relating to European AI regulation.

Open issues and high expectations

Despite initial successes, expectations remain high for the newly created Digital Ministry, especially in terms of reducing bureaucracy. The digital economy – from start-ups to SMEs to large corporations – wants short-term and tangible relief, for example in the form of reduced reporting and documentation requirements, faster approval procedures and one-stop shops for administrative procedures. The new ministry will be judged primarily on its ability to implement these measures and on its efficiency.

In general, there is a desire for more communication and practical implementation: the Digital Ministry already communicates in a modern and open manner and involves citizens and other stakeholders. In future, however, it must mobilise the public even more strongly in order to build pressure for swift and efficient implementation. This also applies in particular to government innovation projects – for example, the administration itself piloting AI or creating real-world laboratories for new tech applications where companies and government agencies can experiment together.

Another key challenge remains the classification and refinement of the new ministry's responsibilities. Due to overlaps, many digital projects still require close coordination with other departments, from education and the economy to the interior. This shows that the Digital Ministry aspires to be a coordinating hub, but in the federal reality it often has to rely on compromises. A clear delineation of its own responsibilities and scope for action is essential in order to remain capable of acting in the long term and to facilitate cooperation with other ministries.

Interim assessment: a new beginning with potential

After 100 days, it can be said that the new Digital Ministry has sent an important political signal and created initial structures that were long overdue. At the same time, it is clear that the path to comprehensive digital transformation will not be an easy one. The decisive factor will be whether announcements can be translated into visible results in a timely manner – for citizens, businesses and administrations.

With the new ministry, Germany has an opportunity to catch up with other countries. The coming months will show whether ambitious plans will translate into tangible progress.

Would you like to learn more about the new Digital Ministry and its patronage of the Smart Country Convention? Read more here or visit us at #SCCON25.