Since its launch in 2015, Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program has become a powerful force for change across the globe. With initiatives in over 50 countries, the program has helped shape solutions that address critical societal challenges through the power of technology. By fostering collaboration between governments, businesses, and academic institutions, Cisco has successfully driven impactful transformations in various sectors, from healthcare and education to agriculture, cybersecurity, and smart cities.
The CDA program has helped revolutionize communities, from empowering farmers in Tanzania with technology to improve agricultural practices, to creating floating classrooms for children in the Amazon. Its influence is felt in places as diverse as Spain’s energy grids, Ukraine’s network infrastructure, and India’s smart cities initiative.
Under the leadership of Guy Diedrich, Cisco’s Senior Vice President and Global Innovation Officer, the CDA program has launched over 1,600 digitization projects in nearly every industry. These initiatives have reached millions, if not hundreds of millions, of people, making CDA a cornerstone of Cisco’s mission to drive positive change. Diedrich believes that integrating technology with the priorities of national governments is the key to the program’s success, saying, “You can benefit the world and drive business growth at the same time.”
While technology is at the core of CDA’s success, Cisco’s Chief People, Policy, and Purpose Officer, Fran Katsoudas, highlights the importance of building trust and human relationships across diverse regions. This trust has been a key factor in the program’s long-lasting impact.
The CDA program aligns closely with Cisco’s vision of merging business success with social good. As Chris Reeves, Vice President of Cisco’s Digital Impact Office for EMEA, notes, “The program has remained true to its original mission of using technology to deliver better outcomes for communities, economic growth, and growth for Cisco.”
For instance, in Milan, CDA has helped implement smart city technologies, launched initiatives to improve healthcare and transportation, and established a Cybersecurity Co-Innovation Center. Similarly, in Mexico, Cisco’s CDA program has certified over 2,000 women in specialized digital courses, empowering them with vital skills for the 21st century economy.
The program also plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as education, connectivity, and sustainability. In Brazil’s Amazon, CDA’s collaboration with Senac brought professional training to remote communities, enhancing access to IT and internet courses. In Japan, Cisco’s GIGA Schools program is helping schools build the future-proof infrastructure needed for K-12 education, providing students with new digital learning experiences.
The CDA program has also become a key player in India’s Smart Cities Mission, helping cities like Vijayawada, Gandhinagar, and Hyderabad implement Cisco technologies to enhance Wi-Fi, security, transportation, and urban management. In Australia, CDA has partnered with Transport for NSW to improve traffic management using AI and real-time data analysis.
Another area where CDA is making strides is in sustainable energy. The program has supported utility companies in transitioning to more sustainable, digital energy networks, working closely with partners like Ikusi on projects such as the digitalization of Spain’s electricity grids.
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Cisco’s CDA program has helped fortify infrastructure and build essential educational and healthcare resources to support the country’s long-term recovery. As Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Eurointegration, Valeriya Ionan, noted, “Our partnership with CDA is pivotal for Ukraine’s digital future.”
Looking ahead, Cisco’s CDA program shows no signs of slowing down. With rapid advancements in technology and an increasing global demand for digital transformation, Cisco is committed to driving further change in the next decade. As Oliver Tuszik, President of Cisco’s EMEA region, concludes, “The disruptive technologies are changing faster than ever before, and we’re here to help.”
In just 10 years, CDA has demonstrated that doing good and doing well can go hand in hand, creating lasting, positive impacts in every corner of the world. And with many more projects in the pipeline, its transformative influence will only continue to grow.
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