Small Island. Big Digital Future
Malta may be small in size, but we’ve never been short on ambition. Our history proves it. Our EU accession confirmed it. And now, in the digital era, we face our next great test; not of scale, but of vision.
Because in the digital world, size doesn’t matter. Vision does.
In recent years, Malta has made real strides in digitalisation. According to the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), we rank among the top performers in eGovernment, with widespread adoption of digital public services. This is no small feat. It shows that when we commit, we can deliver. It shows the foundations are there.
But if we want to truly thrive in a digital future, not just compete, we must build on these gains and aim higher.
Vision 2050 rightly identifies “digitalisation” as a core pillar of our national development. I welcome this. But transformation is not just about infrastructure; it’s about imagination. It’s about turning good performance into real leadership. It’s about giving people and businesses the tools to create, connect, and lead.
The Nationalist Party has always been at the forefront of forward-thinking reform. We built the institutions that opened Malta to the global economy. We led Malta into the EU’s digital single market. But somewhere along the way, we stopped asking the hardest question: What’s next?
Now is the time to rediscover our edge; and this time, take it further.
I believe in a Malta that:
- Equips every child and young adult with digital skills; not just access to devices, but real capabilities.
- Fuels start-ups and innovators, giving them not just grants, but space, mentors, and visibility.
- Pushes for excellence in eGovernment, where citizen services are not only online, but intuitive, fast, and transparent.
- Positions Malta as a testbed for secure AI, smart regulation, and ethical digital finance.
We must use our success in DESI as a springboard; not a finish line. The digital transformation must reach every household, every business, every village. Because digitalisation is not just about efficiency, it’s about empowerment.
In Gozo, where I proudly serve, this matters even more. A strong digital backbone is our bridge to economic opportunity. With the right policies, Gozo can become a model for smart island innovation; from telemedicine and e-learning to remote work zones and cultural digitisation.
Vision 2050 speaks of an “intelligent, innovative and connected” Malta. That’s the right direction. But we must now embed this into our national mindset; where digital isn’t just a sector, it’s a way of thinking, solving, and serving.
We are not starting from scratch. We’ve made progress. But we must now shift from adoption to ambition.
Let the Nationalist Party once again be the engine of Malta’s next leap forward. Let us become the party that equips our country for a future where ideas are the new currency and connectivity is the new infrastructure.
It’s about securing Malta’s place in a world that is changing fast — and doing so in a way that’s fair, green, and human.
We are a small island. But we have a big future.
Let’s build it — together.
Alex Borg is a Member of Parliament and PN leadership candidate.