Initiative overview
The National Data Infrastructure (NDI) was created to address a long‑standing challenge in Brazil’s Federal Public Administration: public data is often dispersed across different systems, formats, and technological standards, limiting its usefulness for evidence‑based policymaking, efficient service delivery, and transparent information sharing. Fragmentation and limited interoperability have historically prevented government bodies from fully realizing the value of the information they collect and maintain.
The NDI aims to transform this landscape by promoting the strategic use of data across the federal government. Its purpose is to ensure that public bodies can discover, access, and integrate data securely and responsibly, turning information into actionable insights for policy development. The initiative supports the interoperability, privacy, security, and protection of public data, helping institutions improve services, empower citizens, and foster economic and social development. It also contributes to national sovereignty and federative integration by establishing a trusted environment for data use while rationalizing public-sector costs. In aligning itself with international best practices, the NDI strengthens Brazil’s capacity for data-driven decision-making and technological innovation.
Formally instituted by Decree No. 12,198 on September 24, 2024, the NDI represents an evolution of the National Open Data Infrastructure established in 2016. While the earlier initiative focused primarily on open data, the NDI expands the scope to include interoperability, governance, security, privacy, and digital public goods, reflecting a more comprehensive approach to public-sector data management.
NDI initiatives are integrated into the Federal Digital Government Strategy, which is updated annually. Its ongoing implementation is supported by several mechanisms. These include the development of data‑governance and sharing policies, which undergo public consultation; the adoption of common technological models such as the Government Cloud, which standardizes infrastructure and data integration practices; the expansion of interoperable national data catalogs to organize and make thousands of datasets reusable; and the consolidation of specialized roles, such as data executives, within government structures. Together, these measures support a gradual, scalable rollout that can expand to additional levels of government and new data partners.
