Digital Public Infrastructure, Platform Competition, and Inclusive Economic Transformation: Comparative Institutional Analysis of India and Brazil, 2020–2026

Abstract

This article examines how digital public infrastructure reshapes platform competition, financial inclusion, organizational strategy, and socio-economic development through a comparative institutional analysis of India and Brazil between 2020 and 2026. The study argues that digital public infrastructure has become a strategic economic governance mechanism rather than merely a technological modernization project. India and Brazil were selected because both are large emerging economies that deployed population-scale digital payment infrastructures, yet they differ in institutional architecture, governance strategy, market structure, and platform competition dynamics. India’s model is characterized by India Stack, Aadhaar-enabled identity systems, Unified Payments Interface, and public digital rails supporting ecosystem-wide innovation. Brazil’s model is centered on Pix, open finance reforms, central bank leadership, and rapid payment modernization within a regulated financial system. The findings indicate that digital public infrastructure expands market participation when institutional coordination, interoperability, regulatory credibility, and trust are aligned. India demonstrates the developmental potential of modular platform ecosystems, while Brazil demonstrates the competitive effects of central-bank-led payment innovation. This article contributes to economics and business literature by conceptualizing digital public infrastructure as an institutional platform capability linking governance, innovation, market competition, and inclusive development.