The Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference brought together leaders from across PNG and the region on 11 and 12 August 2025 in Brisbane’s South Bank. Held in the lead-up to PNG’s fiftieth independence anniversary, the conference attracted leaders from international institutions, government and industry to discuss the nation’s growth trajectory and the role of digital transformation.
Talking digital transformation with delegates
Our Kyudo team – John Burke and Nicola Jesser – focused our conversations on the realities of digital transformation. Throughout the sessions and informal chats at our stand we asked delegates a pointed question: “What is the biggest challenge holding back your organisation’s digital transformation?” Access to skilled people and trusted technology partners emerged as a significant hurdle. Yet the overwhelming response surprised us: governance was the greatest challenge delegates highlighted.
Governance – the overlooked key challenge
When delegates speak of governance they are not just referring to compliance. In digital transformation it means the frameworks, decision-making processes and oversight that guide how new technologies are adopted and managed. It requires clear leadership, policies and accountability and – crucially – a risk lens to ensure digital initiatives deliver value. In PNG the governance challenge is acute: the country is accelerating digital reform through initiatives like the National Digital ID and critical connectivity projects, yet a lack of established standards leaves organisations navigating uncharted waters. Government departments now need to obtain a certificate of compliance covering governance and cyber security before accessing central funding, which demands new competencies and clarity that many organisations have yet to build.
Embedding risk into programmes of work
Our discussions reinforced that governance cannot be treated in isolation. Risk needs to be embedded into every programme from conception through to delivery. One delegate described how establishing a risk register at the outset of a digital ID programme and reviewing it regularly enabled their team to anticipate issues and course-correct without derailing the schedule. The programme was delivered ahead of time with minimal rework and stakeholder confidence grew because risks were transparently managed. By contrast, we heard cautionary tales where digital projects stalled because risks were only considered after problems arose.
Strengthening governance and risk management
Addressing the governance and risk gap is achievable but requires deliberate effort. Organisations should establish clear leadership and strategy, adopt policies for project approvals, data management, cyber security and vendor selection, and build regulatory compliance in from the beginning. Internal capacity must be developed through training and defined roles; where in-house expertise is lacking, trusted partners can bring both technical knowledge and local context. Above all, risk management must be integrated into each programme – not as a box-ticking exercise but as a means to make better decisions and avoid costly missteps.
Turning a challenge into an opportunity
The emphasis on governance at the PNG Investment Conference is thought-provoking. It reveals that many organisations feel unprepared to manage the complexity of digital change – but recognising the challenge is the first step to solving it. Governance, reinforced by rigorous risk management, is not a barrier to innovation; it is a catalyst that enables transformation to happen at speed without compromising stability. As PNG invests heavily in digital connectivity and regulatory reform, those who take governance and risk seriously will gain a competitive advantage. At Kyudo we believe that successful digital transformation is built on trust, accountability and a clear vision.
If you are grappling with governance or looking to embed risk in your programmes of work, we would love to help. Reach out to our team to discuss how you can establish strong governance foundations and risk-aware practices that allow your digital initiatives to take off and stay on course.
