Jordan launches national blockchain network

Jordan has launched a new national blockchain network to enhance transparency and promote trust in the public service sector.

Known as MODEE DLT, it was unveiled this week by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MODEE). The ministry partnered with local blockchain firm Blockexe on the project.

أعلنت الوزارة عن تطوير شبكة بلوك تشين وطنية بالتعاون مع شركة blockexe
تهدف إلى تعزيز الثقة والشفافية في الخدمات الحكومية الإلكترونية، حيث تم دمجها مع نظام #سند لتوفير سجل رقمي لا مركزي للمعاملات.
ستُستخدم هذه التقنية في العديد من القطاعات الحكومية لتحسين الكفاءة والتنافسية pic.twitter.com/s6F853RT8r

— وزارة الاقتصاد الرقمي والريادة (@MoDEEJO) July 18, 2024

MODEE DLT launched as part of Jordan’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2021-2025), whose targets include enhanced digital infrastructure, digitalizing government services and leveraging data to improve policies and government decisions.

State-run Jordan News Agency revealed that MODEE DLT has been integrated into the Sanad system to provide a transparent and decentralized digital record of all transactions. Sanad is Jordan’s digital identity system which allows Jordanians to access all government services online. It reportedly has over 800,000 users with digital identities.

The integration with Sanad will allow the new blockchain network to be directly integrated into government services, which the ministry believes will make them transparent, efficient and competitive.

“Blockchain technology, known for its accuracy, security, and confidentiality, ensures that transaction data and user information remain private and protected. Its decentralised nature prevents control or manipulation by any single entity, thereby enhancing security and transparency,” the ministry said.

Several governments globally have adopted blockchain for specific use cases. Recently, Palau announced that it would begin issuing its bonds on a blockchain platform.

However, few have initiated widespread rollouts of the technology to underpin most processes and services. Some like Ghana have made bold pronouncements that they would transition to blockchain, but not much has come out of it.

One study after another has found that blockchain could transform governance. While the prominent use cases, such as in finance and identity, have been well documented, new research keeps on revealing novel use cases that are ripe for blockchain transformation. This includes the justice and law enforcement system, as this BSV Association’s e-book breaks down.

This is not Jordan’s first foray into blockchain. For the past two years, the country has been experimenting with a digital Jordanian dinar. Last year, it emerged that the government had partnered with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on its central bank digital currency (CBDC) venture, with the global financier saying that the digital dinar could solve the country’s cross-border challenges.

Watch: Why using transparent ledger for digital identity ensures trust