Cisco CDA: A Decade of Digital Transformation & Innovation Worldwide
When Cisco launched its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program in 2015, it introduced a groundbreaking initiative—demonstrating that a global tech leader could collaborate with governments, industries, and academic institutions to develop innovative solutions for pressing societal challenges.
Any initial skepticism was quickly overcome.
Now, a decade later, CDA has positively impacted 50 nations, spearheading transformation across diverse sectors. From modernizing coffee farms in Tanzania and introducing floating classrooms in the Amazon to enhancing energy grids in Spain, upgrading network infrastructure in Ukraine, and developing smart cities in India, the program has left a lasting mark worldwide.
This milestone is a significant one for Cisco, marking a decade of success in artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, sustainability, transportation, agriculture, cybersecurity, and more. It is also an opportunity to look ahead at the continued positive influence the program can achieve.
A key driver of CDA’s accomplishments has been the leadership of Guy Diedrich, Cisco’s Senior Vice President and Global Innovation Officer. Reflecting on the initiative, Diedrich remarked, “It has been an honor to collaborate with countries worldwide. We have executed 1,600 individual digitization projects across various sectors, impacting tens—if not hundreds—of millions of people.”
While Cisco’s technology and expertise have played a vital role in the program’s achievements, human connections have been equally important. Fran Katsoudas, Cisco’s Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy, and Purpose Officer, emphasized the trust that CDA has built globally. “Establishing trust on such a scale is no easy feat,” she noted, adding that the program’s success not only benefits Cisco as a business but also creates a profound global impact.
Leadership engagement has been fundamental to this trust-building. Cisco’s CEO, Chuck Robbins, highlighted the importance of securing high-level government partnerships early in the process. “Having been involved since the program’s inception, I’ve seen its immense power,” Robbins stated. “Aligning investments with national priorities enhances our role as a responsible corporate citizen while increasing our effectiveness.”
Doing Good While Driving Business Success
Chris Reeves, Vice President of Cisco’s Digital Impact Office for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), has been with CDA from the beginning and has witnessed its evolution over time. He observed that while the initiative has adapted to shifts in technology and global dynamics, its core mission remains the same—leveraging technology to create better societal outcomes, stimulate economic growth, and support Cisco’s advancement.
CDA has consistently demonstrated that positive change and business success can go hand in hand. “The Country Digital Acceleration Program proves that doing good and achieving business growth are not mutually exclusive,” Diedrich affirmed. “We can empower communities, expand opportunities, and generate revenue simultaneously.”
He further argued that profitability reinforces purpose. “Some believe making a profit undermines a company’s mission. I disagree. If an initiative generates revenue while fulfilling its mission, it becomes sustainable. Purpose and profit can coexist—and, in fact, they complement each other.”
Global Recognition and Ongoing Impact
CDA’s influence extends across many regions, earning accolades from key partners. In Milan, Italy, the program has supported smart city advancements, education, healthcare, and transportation projects, as well as the establishment of a Cybersecurity Co-innovation Center. Milan’s Mayor, Giuseppe Sala, expressed his appreciation: “Over the last decade, CDA has been instrumental in driving innovation and digital transformation in our city and globally. Wishing it continued success in shaping a more connected and sustainable world.”
Education is a cornerstone of CDA’s initiatives, with a strong focus on digital skills development. Irais Barreto Canales, from Mexico’s Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Ministry, praised programs like “Digital Skills for Mexican Women of the 21st Century,” which has certified nearly 2,000 women through over 600,000 hours of specialized training. She also highlighted the “Digital Skills for Nurturing” initiative, which fosters entrepreneurship through Cisco’s collaboration.
In Brazil, the Senac Ferry School initiative—developed in partnership with CDA and Senac—provides remote Amazonian communities with professional training in IT and other fields, helping bridge the digital divide.
Smarter Cities, Education, and Infrastructure
CDA has played a pivotal role in numerous smart city projects, including Japan’s GIGA schools initiative, which integrates Cisco and Meraki networking technology to enhance education nationwide. Similarly, in India, CDA has supported the Smart Cities Mission, deploying solutions such as public Wi-Fi, smart traffic management, security systems, and command centers in cities like Vijayawada, Gandhinagar, and Hyderabad. With India’s goal of developing 100 smart cities, CDA remains committed to driving innovation and economic opportunity.
Traffic management is another area of focus, as demonstrated by CDA’s collaboration with Transport for NSW in Australia. The partnership leverages AI, Wi-Fi, and edge computing to optimize congestion control, enhance road safety, and improve commuter experiences. “The next three to five years will be transformative,” said Chris Bennetts, head of technology and innovation at TfNSW.
Advancing Sustainability and Resilience
Amid the global climate crisis, CDA has prioritized energy grid modernization and renewable energy solutions. “We’ve worked with utility companies worldwide to help digitize their networks, enabling them to better manage renewable energy generation and consumption,” said Reeves. Cisco’s technology has played a key role in this shift, supporting autonomous vehicles and other sustainability initiatives.
Among its many partners, CDA collaborates with Ikusi, a tech services firm helping digitize electricity grids in Spain. Javier Aguilera, Managing Director of Ikusi Spain, acknowledged the significance of this work: “The Cisco CDA program embodies innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to digital transformation.”
CDA has also made a substantial impact in Ukraine, addressing critical needs in an active conflict zone. The initiative has supported refugees through its Medibus healthcare program while reinforcing Ukraine’s digital infrastructure and educational resources. Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister for Eurointegration at Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, underscored the importance of the partnership: “Our work with CDA is an investment in both Ukraine’s and the world’s digital future.”
Looking Ahead: A Future of Innovation
With rapid advancements in disruptive technologies, the future of CDA looks bright. Oliver Tuszik, President of Cisco’s EMEA region, expressed confidence in the program’s ongoing success. “As technology evolves faster than ever, countries worldwide seek reliable partners like Cisco to help them navigate the digital age.”
As CDA moves into its next decade, it remains committed to fostering sustainability, equity, and connectivity—ensuring its impact continues to shape the future for generations to come.
Any initial skepticism was quickly overcome.
Now, a decade later, CDA has positively impacted 50 nations, spearheading transformation across diverse sectors. From modernizing coffee farms in Tanzania and introducing floating classrooms in the Amazon to enhancing energy grids in Spain, upgrading network infrastructure in Ukraine, and developing smart cities in India, the program has left a lasting mark worldwide.
This milestone is a significant one for Cisco, marking a decade of success in artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, sustainability, transportation, agriculture, cybersecurity, and more. It is also an opportunity to look ahead at the continued positive influence the program can achieve.
A key driver of CDA’s accomplishments has been the leadership of Guy Diedrich, Cisco’s Senior Vice President and Global Innovation Officer. Reflecting on the initiative, Diedrich remarked, “It has been an honor to collaborate with countries worldwide. We have executed 1,600 individual digitization projects across various sectors, impacting tens—if not hundreds—of millions of people.”
While Cisco’s technology and expertise have played a vital role in the program’s achievements, human connections have been equally important. Fran Katsoudas, Cisco’s Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy, and Purpose Officer, emphasized the trust that CDA has built globally. “Establishing trust on such a scale is no easy feat,” she noted, adding that the program’s success not only benefits Cisco as a business but also creates a profound global impact.
Leadership engagement has been fundamental to this trust-building. Cisco’s CEO, Chuck Robbins, highlighted the importance of securing high-level government partnerships early in the process. “Having been involved since the program’s inception, I’ve seen its immense power,” Robbins stated. “Aligning investments with national priorities enhances our role as a responsible corporate citizen while increasing our effectiveness.”
Doing Good While Driving Business Success
Chris Reeves, Vice President of Cisco’s Digital Impact Office for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), has been with CDA from the beginning and has witnessed its evolution over time. He observed that while the initiative has adapted to shifts in technology and global dynamics, its core mission remains the same—leveraging technology to create better societal outcomes, stimulate economic growth, and support Cisco’s advancement.
CDA has consistently demonstrated that positive change and business success can go hand in hand. “The Country Digital Acceleration Program proves that doing good and achieving business growth are not mutually exclusive,” Diedrich affirmed. “We can empower communities, expand opportunities, and generate revenue simultaneously.”
He further argued that profitability reinforces purpose. “Some believe making a profit undermines a company’s mission. I disagree. If an initiative generates revenue while fulfilling its mission, it becomes sustainable. Purpose and profit can coexist—and, in fact, they complement each other.”
Global Recognition and Ongoing Impact
CDA’s influence extends across many regions, earning accolades from key partners. In Milan, Italy, the program has supported smart city advancements, education, healthcare, and transportation projects, as well as the establishment of a Cybersecurity Co-innovation Center. Milan’s Mayor, Giuseppe Sala, expressed his appreciation: “Over the last decade, CDA has been instrumental in driving innovation and digital transformation in our city and globally. Wishing it continued success in shaping a more connected and sustainable world.”
Education is a cornerstone of CDA’s initiatives, with a strong focus on digital skills development. Irais Barreto Canales, from Mexico’s Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Ministry, praised programs like “Digital Skills for Mexican Women of the 21st Century,” which has certified nearly 2,000 women through over 600,000 hours of specialized training. She also highlighted the “Digital Skills for Nurturing” initiative, which fosters entrepreneurship through Cisco’s collaboration.
In Brazil, the Senac Ferry School initiative—developed in partnership with CDA and Senac—provides remote Amazonian communities with professional training in IT and other fields, helping bridge the digital divide.
Smarter Cities, Education, and Infrastructure
CDA has played a pivotal role in numerous smart city projects, including Japan’s GIGA schools initiative, which integrates Cisco and Meraki networking technology to enhance education nationwide. Similarly, in India, CDA has supported the Smart Cities Mission, deploying solutions such as public Wi-Fi, smart traffic management, security systems, and command centers in cities like Vijayawada, Gandhinagar, and Hyderabad. With India’s goal of developing 100 smart cities, CDA remains committed to driving innovation and economic opportunity.
Traffic management is another area of focus, as demonstrated by CDA’s collaboration with Transport for NSW in Australia. The partnership leverages AI, Wi-Fi, and edge computing to optimize congestion control, enhance road safety, and improve commuter experiences. “The next three to five years will be transformative,” said Chris Bennetts, head of technology and innovation at TfNSW.
Advancing Sustainability and Resilience
Amid the global climate crisis, CDA has prioritized energy grid modernization and renewable energy solutions. “We’ve worked with utility companies worldwide to help digitize their networks, enabling them to better manage renewable energy generation and consumption,” said Reeves. Cisco’s technology has played a key role in this shift, supporting autonomous vehicles and other sustainability initiatives.
Among its many partners, CDA collaborates with Ikusi, a tech services firm helping digitize electricity grids in Spain. Javier Aguilera, Managing Director of Ikusi Spain, acknowledged the significance of this work: “The Cisco CDA program embodies innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to digital transformation.”
CDA has also made a substantial impact in Ukraine, addressing critical needs in an active conflict zone. The initiative has supported refugees through its Medibus healthcare program while reinforcing Ukraine’s digital infrastructure and educational resources. Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister for Eurointegration at Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, underscored the importance of the partnership: “Our work with CDA is an investment in both Ukraine’s and the world’s digital future.”
Looking Ahead: A Future of Innovation
With rapid advancements in disruptive technologies, the future of CDA looks bright. Oliver Tuszik, President of Cisco’s EMEA region, expressed confidence in the program’s ongoing success. “As technology evolves faster than ever, countries worldwide seek reliable partners like Cisco to help them navigate the digital age.”
As CDA moves into its next decade, it remains committed to fostering sustainability, equity, and connectivity—ensuring its impact continues to shape the future for generations to come.
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