When Claudia Sheinbaum assumed office as mayor of Mexico City in 2018, she had a clear mission: to make the metropolis of nearly 10 million people a model of fairness and innovation. With a strong background in physics and energy engineering, Sheinbaum recognized the power of digital transformation to ensure that all residents, especially the most vulnerable, had efficient access to essential services such as healthcare, personal records, and government programs.
To achieve this vision, Sheinbaum’s administration quickly established the Digital Agency for Public Innovation (ADIP) on December 31, 2018. ADIP was designed to centralize the city’s digital initiatives and streamline government operations. Its mission encompasses data management, open government, digital governance, technological infrastructure, and the reduction of bureaucratic red tape. ADIP’s efforts were targeted at urgent issues, including providing public transit information and enabling digital renewal of driver’s licenses, directly benefiting low-income residents.
One of ADIP’s major accomplishments was the simplification and digitization of governmental procedures. The number of procedures was reduced from 2,100 to 530, with 190 of them digitized, which impacted 70% of citizen interactions with the government.
Enhancing digital access was another cornerstone of Sheinbaum’s strategy. The number of free internet hotspots in Mexico City increased from fewer than 100 in 2018 to over 34,000 by the end of 2023, making it the most connected city globally. Additionally, digital products were developed to be functional on all mobile devices, and the city covered mobile data costs for accessing these services. ADIP operates with a philosophy of “build more, fail fast,” applying project management discipline from the private sector. The agency follows the KISS model (Keep It Simple, and then Scale), focusing on small, tangible wins to build credibility and value quickly.
Political support was also crucial, with Sheinbaum placing ADIP at the center of government decisions, highlighting the importance of digital services in public governance. International recognition of ADIP’s efforts came in 2021 when it received part of a $17 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. This funding enhanced the agency’s capacity and accelerated its projects, underscoring the effectiveness and impact of its initiatives. Under Claudia Sheinbaum’s leadership, Mexico City has made significant steps in digital transformation, prioritizing citizen needs and leveraging technology to enhance governance and reduce corruption.
Born in Mexico City in 1962, Sheinbaum studied at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the University of California, Berkeley. Her political career began in 2000 as the environment secretary of Mexico City. Known as “la Doctora” for her academic credentials, she is a physicist with a doctorate in energy engineering. She was part of the UN panel of climate scientists that received a Nobel Peace Prize.
In a historic achievement, Sheinbaum, who stepped down from mayorship in June 2023 to run for president, became the first woman to be elected president of Mexico, winning around 60% of the vote in the country’s largest election.
