Amman, Sept. 17 (Petra) -- The government on Thursday launched "Irtiqa," a national framework for digital transformation standards designed to provide a unified reference for assessing digital maturity across public-sector institutions, measuring compliance with digital transformation requirements, and identifying areas for improvement.

The framework covers 10 main areas, 16 dimensions, and 34 standards addressing various aspects of institutional digital maturity. It is intended to help government institutions assess their progress, identify strengths and gaps, set development priorities, and develop measurable improvement plans.

The Digital Transformation Unit at the Prime Ministry will oversee implementation of the framework, coordinate with government entities covered by the assessment, and follow up on results and development priorities.

The first assessment cycle will involve 34 government entities, including ministries, institutions and departments, with the framework to be gradually expanded to cover the rest of the public sector.

The framework was launched at an event organized by the Digital Transformation Unit at the Prime Ministry, in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) project "Improved Governance for the Support of Reform Projects in Jordan (PARtner II)," commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The event also included the official launch of the "Irtiqa" platform, an interactive presentation on its use and key features, and a discussion session on implementation and next steps.

Minister of State for Public Sector Development Badriya Balbisi said the framework marks an important step in translating public-sector modernization efforts into more mature and integrated institutional capabilities. She stressed that digital transformation is essential to building a more responsive government, improving resource management, and delivering better services to citizens.

Jordan has made significant progress in digitizing services and developing its technological infrastructure, Balbisi said, adding that the next phase should build on these achievements by moving from individual digital initiatives within institutions toward sustainable digital capabilities across government.

She said "Irtiqa" will help institutions understand their level of digital maturity, identify strengths, gaps, and development priorities, and track progress toward higher levels of performance.

Balbisi stressed that the framework is not intended to rank institutions or focus on scores, but to use assessment as a basis for continuous improvement. "We measure today to improve tomorrow," she said.

Technology alone, she added, cannot deliver digital transformation, which also requires employees capable of using technology and data effectively, leadership that supports change and data-driven decision-making, and an institutional culture that promotes continuous learning and development.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Samira Zoubi said the launch marks a more mature approach to managing digital transformation nationwide, based on clear standards and measurable outcomes and linking investment in technology to improvements in institutional efficiency, service quality, and the citizen experience.

Digital transformation, she said, should no longer be measured by the number of digitized services or systems launched, but by institutions’ ability to use technology and data to simplify procedures, improve performance, and provide more accessible and efficient services.

Zoubi also highlighted the importance of improving digital maturity as artificial intelligence technologies advance rapidly, noting that their effective and secure use requires reliable data, clear procedures, responsible governance, and qualified personnel.

German Ambassador to Jordan Bertram von Moltke said the value of "Irtiqa" lies not only in establishing unified national standards, but also in translating them into everyday practices and tangible improvements in services provided to citizens.

He expressed Germany’s commitment to its partnership with Jordan in supporting reforms aimed at building more efficient and responsive institutions and benefiting from international best practices in digital transformation.

//Petra// AJ