Digital Services for Entry: Leading Countries in the B-READY Index
The Business Ready (B-READY) project, the World Bank’s successor to the Doing Business rankings, has introduced a more sophisticated way to measure how countries welcome new enterprises. Central to this is the Business Entry pillar, specifically the Digital Public Services indicator.
Rather than just counting the number of days it takes to register, B-READY evaluates the quality of "single-window" digital portals, the interoperability of government databases, and the transparency of information available to founders.
Top Performers in Digital Business Entry (2025 Data)
The 2025 B-READY report, which expanded its scope to 101 economies, reveals a group of "Digital Champions" that have successfully closed the gap between having a law on the books and having a functioning digital system.
| Economy | Digital Entry Highlight | Global Performance Tier |
| Singapore | Total Integration: Ranked 1st globally in Operational Efficiency. Its digital systems allow for near-instantaneous registration, tax ID issuance, and utility connection. | Top Quintile (All Pillars) |
| Estonia | Digital Identity: A global pioneer in e-Residency. Its "X-Road" infrastructure ensures that 99% of public services, including business entry, are available 24/7 online. | Top Quintile (Pillar II) |
| Rwanda | Africa’s Digital Leader: Ranked 8th globally in Public Services. Rwanda has digitized end-to-end processes for company registration and land titles. | Top 10 (Public Services) |
| Georgia | Automated Transparency: Consistently a top performer for providing high-quality digital registries that reduce the need for physical interaction to zero. | Top Quintile (All Pillars) |
| Togo | Rapid Reformer: A standout in West Africa, achieving high scores for its simplified, digital-first company registration portal. | Regional Leader |
| Vietnam | Operational Gain: Ranked 16th in operational efficiency, showing massive improvements in digital utility services and business entry portals. | Top 20% |
What the "Digital Services for Entry" Indicator Measures
To lead in this category, countries are rigorously assessed on three technological capabilities:
Interoperability: Does the business registry automatically communicate with the tax office and social security? Leaders ensure data is only entered once.
Transparency: Are all fee schedules, regulations, and required documents available on one centralized, searchable website without a paywall?
Digital Authentication: The ability to use secure e-signatures or digital IDs so that both domestic and foreign investors can complete the process remotely.
The "Public Services Gap"
The 2025 report highlights a significant global challenge: while 80% of countries allow online registration in theory, only about 40% provide the actual digital infrastructure (like interoperable databases) to make it efficient. High-income economies provide digital trade information at more than double the rate of low-income economies (67% vs. 29%).
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Expansion
The B-READY project is currently in a three-year rollout phase. By late 2026, the assessment will cover over 180 economies, providing the most comprehensive global map ever created of where digital services are truly "Business Ready."
Singapore’s Digital Blueprint: Excellence in Digital Services for Entry
Singapore is widely recognized as the global benchmark for Digital Services for Entry within the B-READY framework. By integrating regulatory requirements with cutting-edge technology, the nation has moved beyond simple "online forms" to a unified, interoperable ecosystem where starting a business is an almost instantaneous digital experience.
The Architecture of Digital Entry
Singapore’s success is built on a "Whole-of-Government" approach, primarily delivered through two interconnected digital powerhouses:
1. ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority)
As the national regulator, ACRA’s digital portal serves as the primary gateway. Its BizFile+ system is a fully automated registry where:
Instant Incorporation: Most companies are incorporated within 15 minutes of filing.
Automatic Identity Linkage: Using Singpass (for individuals) and Corppass (for businesses), the system verifies identities instantly, eliminating the need for physical signatures or notarized documents.
Data Interoperability: Once registered, the system automatically triggers the issuance of a Unique Entity Number (UEN), which is recognized by all other government agencies (tax, customs, and social security).
2. GoBusiness Portal
While ACRA handles the "birth" of the company, the GoBusiness portal manages its "readiness" to operate.
Guided Journey: An AI-powered "e-Adviser" asks founders questions about their industry and provides a tailored list of required licenses.
Simultaneous Applications: Entrepreneurs can apply for multiple licenses (e.g., food stalls, liquor licenses, and environmental permits) in a single transaction.
Inter-Agency Routing: The portal automatically routes data to over 30 different agencies, ensuring the user doesn't have to provide the same information twice.
B-READY Performance Metrics
In the 2025 B-READY assessment, Singapore’s digital services contributed to its ranking in the Top Quintile (top 20%) globally. Key metrics include:
| Metric | Singapore's Implementation | Impact on Business |
| Transparency | All fee schedules and regulatory requirements are searchable on a single, paywall-free portal. | Eliminates "hidden costs" and simplifies financial planning. |
| Operational Efficiency | Ranked #1 Globally in the 2024–2025 pilot for how quickly digital laws are translated into practice. | Reduces the time-to-market for new startups. |
| Digital Interoperability | 99% of government services are online and talk to each other through a centralized API. | Minimizes administrative burden; the "Tell Us Once" policy. |
The "Smart Nation 2.0" Strategy
As of 2026, Singapore is pushing the boundaries of "Entry" further through its Smart Nation 2.0 initiative. This includes:
AI-Driven Compliance: Integrating AI to help businesses pre-check their applications for errors before submission, reducing rejection rates to near zero.
Cross-Border Digital Entry: Collaborating with ASEAN neighbors to allow for digital business entry across borders using interoperable digital identities.
Key Takeaway: Singapore doesn't just offer an "online option"; it mandates a digital-first environment where the "Public Services Gap" (the distance between law and reality) is virtually non-existent.
Digital Services for Entry: Estonia’s e-Residency and the X-Road Advantage
Estonia is the global pioneer of digital governance, consistently ranking in the Top Quintile for the B-READY Public Services pillar. While other nations are just beginning to digitize, Estonia has operated a "Digital-First" economy for over two decades. In the 2025–2026 B-READY assessments, Estonia stands out for having virtually zero gap between its regulatory framework and its operational digital services.
The Engine of Business Entry: X-Road and e-ID
Estonia’s ability to offer near-instant business entry is powered by two foundational technologies that satisfy the B-READY "Digital Services" requirements:
X-Road (Interoperability): This is the backbone of the Estonian state. It is a secure data exchange layer that allows different government databases—tax, social security, the business registry, and banks—to communicate. Because of the "Once-Only" principle, once you enter your data for business registration, you never have to provide it to another government agency again.
e-ID & e-Residency: Estonia provides every citizen and "e-resident" with a secure digital identity. This e-ID allows for legally binding digital signatures that are recognized across the EU, enabling founders to start and manage a company from anywhere in the world without ever visiting a physical office.
Key Metrics for Business Entry (2025–2026)
Estonia’s performance in the Business Entry category is defined by extreme speed and high transparency.
| Feature | Performance Detail | B-READY Impact |
| Registration Time | Average of 1–3 hours; record set at just over 15 minutes. | Maximizes Operational Efficiency (Pillar III). |
| Transparency | 100% of fee schedules, company records, and annual reports are searchable online. | Top scores in Public Services & Transparency (Pillar II). |
| Cost of Entry | Share capital can be as low as €0.01, and registration fees are fixed and transparent. | Reduces the Regulatory Burden on entrepreneurs. |
| Cross-Border Entry | Automated data exchange with countries like Finland. | Sets the standard for International Interoperability. |
The e-Residency Phenomenon
As of early 2026, the e-Residency program has become a primary driver of Estonia’s Business Entry success. It allows global entrepreneurs to access Estonia’s digital services as if they were locals.
Scale: Over 135,000 e-residents from 185 countries.
Economic Impact: E-residents have founded more than 39,000 companies, accounting for roughly 20% of all new firms established in Estonia annually.
2026 Strategy: The program is moving toward a "card-less" mobile e-ID, which is expected to increase the speed of company formation by another 20% by removing the need for a physical pickup of a digital ID kit.
The Digital Advantage: Beyond Registration
For B-READY, "Entry" is just the start. Estonia’s digital services extend into the full life-cycle of the firm:
e-Tax: 95% of taxes are filed online in minutes; the system pre-fills forms using data from the e-Business Register.
0% Corporate Tax: Unique tax structure where profit is only taxed when distributed, not when reinvested—all managed through a digital portal.
Remote Management: 100% of company administration, from changing board members to filing annual reports, is done digitally.
Expert Insight: Estonia’s success in the B-READY index is not just about a fast website; it is about a legal trust framework where digital signatures carry the same weight as physical ones, backed by a secure, interoperable infrastructure.
Digital Services for Entry: Rwanda’s Leadership in Africa
Rwanda has emerged as a global "reform champion" in the B-READY index, ranking as the top performer in Africa for 2025. While many developing economies struggle with a "public services gap"—where digital laws exist but the systems don't work—Rwanda has successfully bridged this divide. In the latest assessment, Rwanda secured the 12th position globally in Operational Efficiency, the only Sub-Saharan African nation to reach the top tier.
The Backbone of Digital Entry: Irembo and RDB
Rwanda’s business entry success is centered on the seamless integration between its regulatory body and its digital service delivery platform.
1. IremboGov: The "Single Window" Pioneer
Recently named the Best Government Service in the World at the 2026 GovTech Prize, IremboGov is the primary portal for over 240 public services.
Unified Access: Instead of visiting multiple ministries, entrepreneurs use Irembo to handle everything from business name reservation to tax registration.
Cashless & Paperless: The system is 100% digital, with integrated e-wallets and mobile money payments, reducing the need for physical bank visits.
Time Efficiency: Digital transformation has reduced service delivery times for certain business permits from several days to under two hours.
2. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) One-Stop Center
The RDB serves as the central hub for investors. In early January 2026, Rwanda upgraded this to a Single Digital One Stop Platform ($onestopcentre.rdb.rw$), which:
Eliminates Fragmentation: Consolidates building permits, agro-processing licenses, and investment certificates into a single digital workflow.
Automated Data Sharing: Once a business is registered, the data is instantly shared with the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and social security systems.
B-READY Performance Snapshot (2025–2026)
Rwanda’s high scores in the Business Entry pillar reflect its ability to execute reforms effectively.
| B-READY Pillar | Rwanda's Score (2025) | Global Context |
| Operational Efficiency | 71.47 | Ranked 12th Globally; #1 in Africa. |
| Regulatory Framework | 72.54 | Top performer in Sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Public Service Quality | 59.81 | Ranked 3rd in Africa; leading regional progress. |
Key Components of Rwanda’s Digital Advantage
To maintain its lead, Rwanda has focused on three critical areas identified by the B-READY framework:
Free and Fast Registration: Rwanda removed the minimum capital requirements and made online business registration free of charge.
Digital Identity and Authentication: A $39.3 million investment (slated for completion by late 2026) is upgrading the national ID system to support soft-format digital IDs and e-signatures, allowing for secure remote entry.
Transparency of Information: All regulatory requirements, including investment incentives and fee schedules, are accessible via a centralized digital portal without paywalls.
The "Reform Hub" Strategy
As of 2026, Rwanda is moving toward AI-enabled government services. Under its "Smart Nation" goals, the government is piloting AI to pre-check business applications, further reducing errors and administrative delays.
Why it Matters: The World Bank notes that Rwanda is a model for "leapfrogging." By skipping the era of heavy analog bureaucracy and moving directly to a mobile-first digital architecture, Rwanda has created a business climate that rivals much higher-income economies.
Digital Services for Entry: Georgia’s Global Lead in Efficiency
In the B-READY 2025 report, which assessed 101 economies, Georgia emerged as a world-class performer, ranking 4th globally overall. Its most significant achievement is in the Operational Efficiency dimension, where it ranks 2nd in the world, trailing only Singapore.
Georgia’s success is a result of radical, long-term digital reforms within the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR) and the Ministry of Justice, creating a business entry system that is nearly entirely automated and transparent.
The "Public Service Hall" Revolution
Georgia’s approach to business entry is defined by the "One-Stop-Shop" concept, physically embodied by its iconic Public Service Halls and digitally unified through its registry portals.
Integrated Registration: The registration of a business, tax identification, and VAT enrollment are processed simultaneously through a single application.
Blockchain-Backed Registry: Georgia was one of the first countries to implement blockchain technology for its land and business registries. This ensures that data is immutable, transparent, and instantly verifiable by third parties (like banks or investors) without requiring government intervention.
The "One-Window" Portal: Entrepreneurs can complete the entire incorporation process online. The system is designed to be so intuitive that most businesses are registered within one business day.
B-READY 2025 Performance Metrics
Georgia’s ranking is bolstered by its ability to turn high-quality regulations into high-speed results.
| Metric | Georgia's Result | Global Context |
| Overall Global Rank | 4th | Tied with South Korea, Singapore, and Estonia. |
| Operational Efficiency | Ranked 2nd | Surpassed 99% of evaluated countries in speed and ease. |
| Public Services Pillar | Top Tier | Recognized for high standards of digital transparency. |
| Business Location | World Leader | Ranked #1 specifically for property transfer and land registration standards. |
Key Strengths in Digital Entry
To achieve its top-tier status, Georgia optimized the three core areas of the B-READY "Digital Services" indicator:
Interoperability: The NAPR system is digitally linked with the Revenue Service. When a business is born in the registry, the tax authorities are notified automatically, and a tax ID is issued without a separate application.
Radical Transparency: Georgia provides full digital access to its commercial registry. Anyone can search for company owners, historical filings, and financial standing for free, which significantly lowers the risk for new market entrants.
Sustainability of Reform: The 2025 report specifically praised Georgia for the consistency of its digital platforms. Unlike countries where portals are often offline, Georgia’s systems maintain a high "up-time" and reliable processing speeds.
Looking Toward 2026
As Georgia moves toward the full 180-country B-READY report in late 2026, it is refining its digital landscape with new legal frameworks:
Digital Nomad Residency: Launching in late 2025, a new program targeting high-earning tech professionals.
Modernized Work Permits: Starting March 1, 2026, Georgia will transition from simple online registration to a more structured digital "Right to Engage in Labor Activity" for foreign entrepreneurs to ensure labor market integrity.
AI Integration: Ongoing pilots aim to use AI for the pre-verification of registration documents to reduce human error and speed up the "one-day" approval process.
Key Takeaway: Georgia proves that a middle-income country can outperform the world's wealthiest nations by aggressively adopting "digital-first" infrastructure. In the B-READY 2025 rankings, it outperformed many G7 nations in the efficiency of starting a business.
Digital Services for Entry: Togo’s Rise as a West African Tech Hub
Togo has emerged as a regional standout in the Business Ready (B-READY) 2024–2025 assessment, particularly within the Business Entry pillar. With an overall score of 77.3 in this category, Togo ranks in the top 20% globally, outperforming many larger economies. This success is driven by a aggressive "digital-first" national strategy designed to transform the country into West Africa’s primary technology and business hub by 2026.
The Engine of Digital Entry: CFE and the Single Window
The center of Togo’s success is the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE), which has transitioned from a physical "one-stop shop" to a fully integrated digital gateway.
Unified Registration Portal: Through the CFE digital platform ($cfetogo.org$), entrepreneurs can reserve a company name, register their articles of association, and obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) in a single workflow.
Paperless Incorporation: The system allows for the electronic submission of all required documents, including ID copies and criminal record certificates, drastically reducing the "public services gap" that plagues many developing nations.
Cost and Speed: Online business registration in Togo is among the fastest in the region, with the ability to legally incorporate a business in under 24 hours. For domestic entrepreneurs, many of these digital services are offered at significantly reduced costs or are entirely free.
B-READY Performance Metrics
Togo’s high ranking in the 2024 report reflects its balanced performance across the three pillars of Business Entry.
| B-READY Pillar (Business Entry) | Togo's Score (0–100) | Performance Level |
| Pillar 1: Quality of Regulations | 77.9 | Top Tier (Regional) |
| Pillar 2: Public Services & Transparency | 78.2 | Top 20% Globally |
| Pillar 3: Operational Efficiency | 77.3 | High Performance |
Key Strengths in Digital Infrastructure
Togo’s leadership in digital services for entry is built on three key pillars:
Inter-Agency Interoperability: The CFE system is digitally linked to the Togo Revenue Authority (OTR) and the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). This ensures that a newly registered business is automatically compliant with tax and labor authorities without separate applications.
Transparency and Open Data: Togo provides a searchable online directory of registered businesses. This transparency builds trust for international investors and simplifies the verification of potential business partners.
Payment Integration: Togo is a leader in integrating mobile money and e-wallet solutions into government services, allowing entrepreneurs to pay registration fees directly through their mobile devices, bypassing the need for traditional bank visits.
Togo Digital 2025 & Beyond
As of early 2026, Togo is entering the final phase of its "Togo Digital 2025" strategy. Key advancements currently rolling out include:
Wholesale Digitization: Moving beyond business entry, Togo is currently digitizing 29 additional administrative services in the energy and mining sectors, with a goal to have 70% of all government processes online by the end of 2026.
National Unique ID (e-ID): Backed by a $72 million World Bank project, Togo is finalizing a biometric digital identity system that will allow for advanced e-signatures, further streamlining the remote registration of firms by foreign investors.
AI Compliance Checks: The government is piloting AI tools to automatically verify the consistency of incorporation documents, aiming to reduce human error and bring processing times down to just a few hours.
Key Takeaway: Togo’s performance in the B-READY index proves that a focused digital mandate can lead to world-class business entry efficiency. By prioritizing interoperability and mobile integration, Togo has created one of the most competitive "Digital Entry" environments in Africa.
Digital Services for Entry: Vietnam’s Momentum in the B-READY Index
Vietnam has established itself as a top-tier performer in the Business Ready (B-READY) 2025 report, particularly in the realm of Operational Efficiency. In the most recent evaluation of 101 economies, Vietnam ranked 16th globally in this category, scoring 70.44. This high placement is primarily due to the country’s aggressive push toward a "Digital Government" and the streamlining of its National Business Registration Portal.
The National Business Registration Portal (NBRP)
The NBRP ($dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn$) is the digital heart of Vietnam’s market entry system. It serves as a single gateway that has unified previously fragmented provincial processes into a cohesive national standard.
Electronic Certificate of Registration: Entrepreneurs now receive their business registration certificates digitally. These electronic versions have the same legal validity as paper originals, facilitating faster bank account openings and contract signings.
Interoperability with Tax and Statistics: The portal is linked with the General Department of Taxation. When a business registers, it is automatically assigned a Tax Identification Number (TIN) that also serves as the enterprise code, eliminating the need for a separate tax registration trip.
Reduction of the "Public Services Gap": While the 2025 report noted that Vietnam’s "Public Services" pillar (scoring 53.93) still has room for growth, its "Business Entry" specific score reached a strong 76.62, proving that the digital infrastructure for starting a firm is far ahead of other administrative sectors.
B-READY 2025 Performance Metrics
Vietnam is one of only 21 economies identified by the World Bank as a "top quintile" performer in at least one major area, specifically excelling in the speed and ease with which businesses can interact with digital utility and entry services.
| B-READY Pillar (Vietnam) | 2025 Score (out of 100) | Performance Level |
| Operational Efficiency | 70.44 | 16th Globally (Top Quintile) |
| Business Entry Specifics | 76.62 | High Performance |
| Utility Services | 90.03 | Among the highest globally |
| Regulatory Framework | 67.03 | Middle Tier (Room for Reform) |
Key Digital Milestones for 2026
As of early 2026, Vietnam is entering a "results-oriented" phase of its National Digital Transformation Program. Two major shifts are defining the current business entry landscape:
Mandatory Corporate e-ID (VNeID): As of July 1, 2025, the use of the VNeID (Vietnam Electronic Identification) platform became mandatory for all administrative procedures. Corporate e-ID accounts are now linked to the legal representative’s personal Level-2 e-ID, allowing for secure, remote authentication of all business filings.
The "100% Digital" Commitment: The government has set 2026 as the target year for 100% of adults to possess a digital identity and for 100% of administrative procedures in key sectors (like Internal Affairs and Enterprise Registration) to be provided as "comprehensive online public services."
Digital Property Codes: Starting March 1, 2026, Vietnam is assigning unique digital ID codes to all real estate and property. For businesses requiring physical locations, this will integrate with the business entry portal to allow for automated verification of office leases and land use rights.
The "One-Stop" Vision
By late 2026, the goal is to transform VNeID into a "National Digital Super-Platform." This will allow a founder to not only register a business but also manage labor contracts (mandated to be electronic by July 2026), pay taxes, and apply for green energy incentives through a single mobile interface.
Key Takeaway: Vietnam’s high ranking in B-READY’s Operational Efficiency highlights a successful shift from "awareness" to "execution." By centralizing its registry and mandating digital identity, Vietnam has created a predictable and fast environment for both domestic startups and foreign investors.
Digital Services for Entry: Key Projects in Leading B-READY Economies
The transition from the old Doing Business rankings to the World Bank's Business Ready (B-READY) framework has catalyzed a new generation of digital infrastructure projects. For the 2025–2026 cycle, leading countries are not just digitizing forms; they are building "Digital Public Infrastructure" (DPI) that treats a business as a digital entity from birth.
Below are the flagship projects currently defining the "Digital Services for Entry" landscape in top-performing nations.
Singapore: Smart Nation 2.0 & AI-Enabled Entry
Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 initiative, refreshed in late 2025, focuses on moving beyond simple automation to predictive governance.
The "GoBusiness" AI Advisor: This project uses generative AI to provide entrepreneurs with a personalized "licensing roadmap." Instead of searching through 30+ agency websites, the AI analyzes the business model and pre-fills applications across multiple departments simultaneously.
One-Click Incorporation: By 2026, Singapore aims to further integrate the Singpass (digital identity) with the ACRA registry to allow "one-click" incorporation for low-risk entities, where the system auto-verifies all credentials in real-time.
Estonia: e-Residency 2.0 and the AI Productivity Bold Initiative
Estonia continues to push the boundaries of "borderless" business with its e-Residency 2.0 ecosystem and a new 2026 productivity mandate.
"Eesti.ai" Integration: Launched in January 2026, this project leverages Estonia’s X-Road (data exchange layer) to allow AI agents to handle routine business administration. For new entries, this means AI can now automate the drafting and filing of articles of association based on EU compliance standards.
Card-less e-ID: A major 2026 milestone is the transition to a fully mobile-based e-ID for e-residents. This removes the physical barrier of picking up a smart card at an embassy, allowing global founders to start an EU company in minutes from their smartphones.
Rwanda: The Single Digital One Stop Platform
Rwanda’s rise as Africa’s B-READY champion is fueled by the Single Digital One Stop Platform, which went live in early January 2026.
The IremboGov Upgrade: This platform won the "Best Government Service in the World" at the 2026 GovTech Prize. It consolidates over 240 services, allowing investors to handle business registration, environmental permits, and tax ID issuance in a single transaction.
50-AI-Applications Project: Rwanda is currently rolling out 50 sector-specific AI applications. For business entry, this includes an AI-driven "Regulatory Sandboxing" tool that helps tech startups verify if their new products comply with national laws during the registration phase.
Georgia: Blockchain-Native Commercial Registry
Georgia maintains its 2nd-place global ranking in Operational Efficiency by scaling its Blockchain 2.0 registry.
Immutable Digital Birth Certificates: Every business registered in Georgia receives a blockchain-backed "Digital Birth Certificate." This project ensures that ownership data is tamper-proof and can be instantly verified by international banks for KYC (Know Your Customer) purposes, drastically speeding up the opening of corporate bank accounts.
Public Service Hall "Smart Hubs": As of 2026, Georgia is integrating biometric "Smart Hubs" into its digital portals, allowing for remote identity verification that meets the highest EU security standards for foreign investors.
Vietnam: VNeID "National Digital Super-Platform"
Vietnam's leap to 16th globally in Operational Efficiency is driven by the VNeID ecosystem.
Corporate e-ID Mandate: As of July 1, 2025, all businesses in Vietnam are required to have a corporate e-ID via the VNeID platform. This project links the legal representative’s biometric ID to the company’s tax and social security data.
2026 Digital Target: Vietnam has set 2026 as the official year for 100% digital administrative procedures. For business entry, this means the "National Business Registration Portal" now provides fully electronic certificates that are automatically recognized by all provincial authorities.
Summary of Leading Project Features
| Country | Flagship Project | Core Innovation |
| Singapore | Smart Nation 2.0 | AI-driven licensing and predictive services. |
| Estonia | e-Residency 2.0 | Mobile-first, card-less digital ID for global founders. |
| Rwanda | IremboGov / One Stop | Consolidated "single window" for 240+ services. |
| Georgia | Blockchain Registry | Immutable, instantly verifiable ownership records. |
| Vietnam | VNeID Super-Platform | Biometric-linked corporate identity and 100% paperless goal. |
B-READY Digital Services for Entry: Frequently Asked Questions
As the Business Ready (B-READY) report transitions into its full 180-economy rollout in 2026, many entrepreneurs and policymakers have questions about how "Digital Services for Entry" are measured and what defines a global leader.
General B-READY Framework
Q: What is the "Digital Services for Entry" indicator? A: It is a core component of the Business Entry topic (Pillar II). It measures the availability and quality of digital public services—such as online registration portals and interoperable databases—and the transparency of information required to start a firm.
Q: How does this differ from the old "Ease of Doing Business" rankings? A: While the old system mostly measured the time and cost (efficiency) of registration, B-READY adds two critical layers: the quality of regulations (protections and standards) and the quality of public services (the digital infrastructure and support provided by the state).
Q: Does B-READY only look at laws on paper? A: No. B-READY uses a "balanced approach" combining de jure data (what the law says) collected from experts and de facto data (what actually happens) collected through Enterprise Surveys from thousands of real firms.
Leading Country Specifics
Q: Why is Singapore consistently ranked #1 in Operational Efficiency? A: Singapore excels because its digital services are hyper-interoperable. Through the GoBusiness portal, the act of registering a company automatically triggers tax registration, social security enrollment, and even utility applications in one "single window" experience.
Q: Can a foreign investor register a business in Estonia without visiting? A: Yes. Estonia’s e-Residency project allows non-residents to obtain a government-issued digital ID. This ID enables them to register an EU-based company, sign documents, and manage taxes entirely online from anywhere in the world.
Q: How did Rwanda become a leader in Africa for digital entry? A: Rwanda invested heavily in its IremboGov platform, which centralizes over 240 services. By removing the need for physical interaction and integrating mobile money for all fees, Rwanda bridged the "public services gap" that often hinders business entry in developing economies.
Technical & Methodology Questions
Q: What is "Interoperability," and why is it a key B-READY metric? A: Interoperability is the ability of different government systems (e.g., the Business Registry and the Tax Office) to share data automatically. A high score means an entrepreneur only has to "Tell the Government Once," and the data populates all necessary agencies.
Q: Is digital registration always faster? A: Not necessarily. The 2025 report identified an "Efficiency Gap." Some countries have digital portals, but because their internal processes aren't automated (manual back-end verification), it can still take weeks. Leaders like Georgia use blockchain or automated checks to ensure digital entry happens in under 24 hours.
Q: What happens in 2026? A: By late 2026, the B-READY report will expand to cover 180 economies. This will provide a global baseline for digital services, pressuring countries that still rely on paper-based entry to modernize or risk losing foreign investment.
Summary of Key Success Factors
| Feature | Description | Leading Examples |
| Single Window | One portal for all entry-related tasks. | Singapore, Rwanda |
| Digital ID | Remote, biometric-linked authentication. | Estonia, Vietnam |
| Transparency | Free, searchable public registry data. | Georgia, UK |
| API Integration | Databases that "talk" to each other. | Estonia (X-Road) |
Glossary of Terms: Digital Services for Business Entry
To navigate the Business Ready (B-READY) framework, it is essential to understand the technical and regulatory terminology that defines a "Digital Leader." The table below breaks down the key concepts used by the World Bank and leading digital economies.
| Term | Definition | Context in Business Entry |
| API (Application Programming Interface) | A set of protocols that allows different software programs to communicate with each other. | Enables the Business Registry to instantly share data with Tax or Social Security systems. |
| B-READY | The World Bank’s new benchmarking tool replacing Doing Business. | Evaluates the business environment via three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency. |
| Blockchain Registry | A decentralized, distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers. | Used by countries like Georgia to ensure business records are immutable, transparent, and instantly verifiable. |
| De Facto Data | Information based on actual practice and real-world experience. | Collected via Enterprise Surveys to see if digital portals actually work as fast as the law claims. |
| De Jure Data | Information based on what is officially written in laws and regulations. | Collected from questionnaires to legal experts to verify that digital entry is legally permitted. |
| Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) | The digital building blocks (ID, payments, data exchange) that enable society-wide service delivery. | The foundation upon which Estonia and Singapore build their entire digital government. |
| Interoperability | The ability of different government computer systems and databases to exchange and make use of information. | Measured by the "Once-Only" principle: entrepreneurs only provide data to the government one time. |
| Public Services Gap | The discrepancy between digital laws on paper and the actual quality of digital services provided. | Identified in the 2025 report as a major hurdle for low-income economies. |
| Single Window | A facility that allows parties involved in trade or business to lodge information with a single entry point. | The IremboGov (Rwanda) or GoBusiness (Singapore) portals are prime examples. |
| VNeID | A mobile application developed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security. | Serves as the biometric-linked digital identity required for business entry and compliance in Vietnam. |
| X-Road | A secure, decentralized data exchange layer. | The technological "backbone" of Estonia that allows secure communication between all public and private sector e-service information systems. |
Success Indicators for Digital Entry
Transparency: All fee schedules and requirements must be available online without a paywall.
e-Signature: The legal ability to sign incorporation documents remotely using a digital ID.
Unique Entity Number (UEN): A single identification number used across all government agencies to identify a business.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is based on the World Bank B-READY 2025–2026 reporting cycles. Specific national regulations and digital portal URLs are subject to change by respective government authorities.