Author: George HACERIAN, Research Analyst, Green eDIH
At the midpoint of the Digital Decade established by the European Union for the period leading up to 2030, digital transformation is no longer merely a technological ambition, but a direct factor of economic competitiveness. The ability of Member States to rapidly adopt digital technologies influences productivity, investment attractiveness, the functioning of public administration, and integration into global value chains, which are becoming increasingly dependent on data and automation.
The European Commission’s mid-term assessments show that progress is uneven, and that differences between Member States risk translating into long-term economic disparities. In this context, Romania occupies a paradoxical position. According to the country report published under the “Digital Decade 2025”, the country benefits from a strong connectivity infrastructure and a competitive IT sector, yet these advantages are not fully reflected in the productivity of the economy or in the efficiency of public administration.
The level of digital skills, the adoption of advanced technologies by companies, and trust in the online environment remain below the European average, which limits the country’s ability to leverage investments and accelerate economic growth. For many organizations, digitalization remains fragmented or oriented towards compliance rather than towards a genuine transformation of processes.
Thus, the main challenge is no longer access to technology, but transforming it into a competitive advantage. At the midpoint of the decade, Romania’s progress reveals a clear contrast between the infrastructure available and its effective use, a contrast that affects economic performance, the quality of public services, and citizens’ level of trust.
A solid infrastructure, but insufficiently leveraged
Romania continues to stand out through its high-speed fixed internet infrastructure, developed through the expansion of fiber-optic networks over the past two decades. According to the European Commission’s assessment within “Digital Decade 2025”, the coverage of very high-capacity networks is above the EU average, including in less populated areas, providing a favorable basis for digital services and for attracting investments in sectors dependent on fast data transfer, such as IT, outsourced services, or data-driven industries.
However, this structural advantage is not sufficient to ensure digital competitiveness. According to the same European report, the availability of infrastructure does not automatically translate into the advanced use of technologies, and digital adoption in the economy remains limited. The gap between connectivity and effective use thus becomes one of the defining characteristics of Romania’s digital transformation.
The discrepancy is particularly visible in the area of mobile communications. According to the European Commission’s country report, the development of 5G networks remains below the European average, which limits industrial and urban applications based on advanced mobile connectivity, including production automation, intelligent transport, or integrated digital public services. At the same time, the same report highlights that projects in strategic technology fields are still at an early stage and have not yet generated significant economic effects.
The deficit of digital skills
In contrast to its strong infrastructure, the level of digital skills in Romania remains among the lowest in the European Union. According to the European Commission’s assessment, a large share of the population does not possess basic digital skills, which limits participation in the digital economy, access to online services, and the ability to adapt to changes in the labor market.
Paradoxically, the country has a significant number of IT specialists and a technologically competitive sector at the regional level. Nevertheless, the “Digital Decade 2025” report highlights that a considerable share of this human capital is oriented towards external markets or outsourcing activities, which reduces its impact on domestic innovation and on the development of high value-added products.
In the business environment, the adoption of advanced technologies remains modest, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up the majority of the economy.
According to the European document, the lack of skills, difficult access to financing, and economic uncertainties slow down the digital transformation of these companies, limiting productivity and competitiveness growth. Digital investments are often treated as isolated projects rather than as changes in processes. This approach reduces the impact on productivity, since real digitalization requires integration between applications, clean data, clear rules, and people who can use the new tools in their daily activities. In the absence of this coherence, technology remains an additional layer rather than a driver of efficiency.
The digital state: between projects and implementation
The digitalization of public administration has become a major priority, supported by European funds and programs associated with the Digital Decade. According to the European Commission’s report, Romania has launched important projects such as the governmental cloud, interoperability platforms, and the expansion of online public services, aimed at simplifying the interaction between citizens, companies, and public institutions.
However, the results remain uneven. The European assessment shows that some digital services function efficiently and are widely used, while others remain fragmented or difficult to use. The lack of interoperability between institutions often forces citizens to provide the same information multiple times, which reduces the efficiency of electronic administration and maintains the perception of persistent bureaucracy.
European documents also underline that long-term success depends on the continuous maintenance and updating of digital systems. Without technical resources and institutional coordination, digital projects risk becoming rapidly outdated, while their benefits for the economy and society remain limited.
A key element is interoperability, which transforms isolated services into integrated ones. When institutions are able to reuse existing data and automate basic verifications, interaction with the state becomes faster and more predictable, while administrative costs for the business environment decrease significantly.
Digitalization from the citizens’ perspective
Digital transformation also depends on how citizens perceive and use technology. According to Eurobarometer surveys included in the Digital Decade evaluation, Romanians perceive digitalization as a factor that can simplify their lives, but they show limited trust when it comes to personal data protection and online security.
Reluctance towards digital services is fueled by low levels of digital skills, online fraud, and disinformation. The European report highlights the risk of widening social differences between those who can benefit from technology and those who remain excluded, particularly in rural areas or among older populations.
Strengthening cybersecurity and digital education therefore becomes essential in order to increase public trust and to enable the expansion of online services under safe conditions.
Support for the adoption of technologies
In this context, European Digital Innovation Hubs play the role of reducing the gap between the availability of technology and its effective use. According to the European framework for the implementation of the Digital Decade, these structures provide testing, training, and advisory services to support companies and public administrations in the process of digital transformation.
Green eDIH focuses on integrating digitalization with sustainability objectives, supporting organizations in assessing their digital maturity and implementing advanced technologies. Initiatives of this kind contribute to the development of an innovation ecosystem capable of transforming European strategies into concrete results at national and regional level.
Key directions for 2030
Romania finds itself in a paradoxical position within Europe’s digital transformation. According to the European Commission’s assessment, the country benefits from a strong infrastructure and valuable human resources, but the level of digital skills, the adoption of technologies, and the efficiency of public administration remain below their potential.
Digitalization is not only a technological issue, but also one of economic and social organization. Without investments in digital education, innovation, and institutional capacity, existing advantages may remain insufficiently leveraged, and the gaps compared to more advanced countries may persist.
Looking towards 2030, success will depend on the ability to transform connectivity into a real instrument for economic growth, administrative modernization, and improved quality of life. To achieve this, the priorities are relatively clear: increasing digital skills on a large scale, accelerating technology adoption among SMEs, strengthening digital public services through interoperability and maintenance, and reinforcing trust through cybersecurity and data protection. Without these steps, Romania risks remaining in a zone of unexploited potential, even if its infrastructure continues to be an asset.
