To thrive in today’s global economy, countries need both modern digital infrastructure and a workforce ready for the future. Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program transforms national digital strategies into tangible outcomes by co-developing and scaling solutions that address real-world challenges, drive innovation, and create measurable impact. CDA helps countries modernize economies, expand GDP, create jobs, and enable broad participation in the digital era.
CDA is distinguished by its model of strategic co-investment and co-innovation. By forging deep partnerships with government, industry, and academia, CDA delivers secure, inclusive, and ethical technology solutions across core sectors such as connected communities, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, education, healthcare, and sustainability. This collaborative approach breaks down traditional barriers, integrating Cisco’s expertise with local insights to accelerate progress.
Advancing Digital Transformation through Strategic Partnership
CDA is a cornerstone of Cisco’s strategy to Power an Inclusive Future for All. Unlike traditional corporate social responsibility programs, CDA is embedded in our business priorities and culture. By working alongside national leaders and private-sector partners, we identify opportunities, co-develop Proof of Concept projects, and rapidly scale successful solutions to maximize societal benefit.
At the heart of CDA are projects that integrate people, process, and technology to deliver proven value. These initiatives foster innovation, promote digital access, and empower communities—prioritizing citizen well-being and long-term resilience.
Real-World Impact at Scale
Operating in 57 countries and launching over 1,700 projects, Cisco’s CDA program is making a profound and measurable impact by meeting local needs while advancing global progress. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, CDA ensures that every solution is comprehensive, adaptable, and designed for lasting impact.
Through these efforts, CDA is breaking down barriers to internet access, creating new jobs, modernizing public services, and advancing digital skills in every corner of the world. From developing smart agriculture solutions in India and securing energy grids in Italy, to upskilling South Africa’s workforce and transforming healthcare delivery in Brazil, our initiatives are delivering tangible, positive change on a global scale.
At the heart of everything we do is the firm belief that modern, secure digital infrastructure and a digitally skilled workforce are no longer optional—they are essential for nations to thrive in today’s connected economy. By collaborating closely with local partners and leveraging Cisco’s unmatched expertise in networking, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, we empower communities to unlock their potential and help build a brighter, more inclusive future.
The CDA program showcases the transformative power of digitization, fostering innovation, connecting the unconnected, and growing GDP while building the workforce of the future.
Unleashing Innovation: CDA’s Collaborative Approach to Digital Acceleration
Collaboration is the engine that drives the success of the Country Digital Acceleration program. By uniting a diverse ecosystem of government agencies, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and civil society groups, CDA harnesses a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and resources to spark lasting change. This spirit of partnership runs deep within Cisco as well, with cross-functional teams from legal, marketing, finance, human resources, and engineering working in concert to ensure that every project is fully supported and aligned with our core values.
Our commitment to collaboration extends beyond formal partnerships. We actively engage with local communities to understand their unique challenges and aspirations, co-creating solutions tailored to each context. This ongoing dialogue creates a powerful feedback loop—one that not only makes our initiatives more effective, sustainable, and scalable, but also enriches Cisco’s understanding of diverse market needs. The result is a culture of adaptability and customer-centric innovation, empowering our teams to respond quickly and meaningfully to the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Mapping the Journey: An Interactive Showcase of CDA’s Impact
To bring the far-reaching impact of the Country Digital Acceleration program to life, we developed the CDA interactive map—a dynamic, filterable tool that showcases hundreds of real-world projects across more than 55 countries. Categorized by industry and technology focus, the map offers a powerful, visual portfolio of our global success stories. With just a click, users can explore how Cisco’s initiatives are driving digital transformation, closing skills gaps, and fostering innovation in communities around the world.
The interactive map goes far beyond simple visualization. It serves as a strategic asset for Cisco, empowering our sales teams to demonstrate the depth and reach of our global projects, present tailored case studies relevant to every customer and region, and generate new leads while sparking meaningful conversations about replicable, high-impact solutions. By highlighting how Cisco solutions contribute to both social good and business growth, the map reinforces our leadership position and showcases the CDA program as a catalyst for global progress.
This tool has become indispensable within Cisco, enabling employees to better understand—and communicate—the tangible outcomes of our collaborations with partners and customers. Its visibility is amplified through regular promotions on our intranet, dedicated newsletters, and CDA Spotlight sessions at internal town halls, reaching thousands of employees every year. Externally, the map takes center stage at major events such as Cisco Live and the World Economic Forum in Davos, further elevating Cisco’s reputation as a global leader in digital acceleration and showcasing the breadth of our impact.
The interactive map highlights how Cisco solutions contribute to both social good and business growth, reinforcing our leadership and positioning the CDA program as a catalyst for global progress.
Explore the map: CDA interactive map
Looking Ahead: CDA’s Enduring Impact
As we look to the future, the CDA program stands unwavering in its commitment to building the workforce of tomorrow. We believe that true progress is measured not only by technological advancement, but by our ability to empower individuals with the digital skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Through deep partnerships with educational institutions and innovative training programs, CDA is bridging the digital divide—ensuring that opportunity, inclusion, and digital literacy reach every corner of society.
By investing in people and nurturing talent, we are fueling economic growth, fostering social inclusion, and opening doors for the next generation of innovators, creators, and leaders. The stories of resilience, ingenuity, and transformation that emerge from our initiatives are a testament to the impact of empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
CDA is a defining part of Cisco’s identity. It shapes our vision, strengthens our culture of collaboration, and amplifies our voice as a champion for global progress and an inclusive future. As we continue to expand the reach and impact of CDA, we remain inspired by the power of digitization to change lives and transform communities.
Our interactive map is more than just a record of past achievements—it is a living reflection of our progress and a powerful reminder of the work still ahead. By celebrating our milestones and making our impact visible, the map inspires everyone at Cisco, our partners, and our customers to keep pushing forward and reimagining what’s possible through digital transformation.
