STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND CONCEPTUAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY AND REALIZATION OF THE ICT SECTOR'S POTENTIAL

Abstract

The article investigates the theoretical and methodological foundations for shaping the strategic priorities and conceptual framework of the state policy aimed at the digital transformation of the national economy and the realization of the potential of Ukraine's information and communication technology (ICT) sector. It substantiates the necessity of developing an integrated public policy model that ensures strategic alignment between the priorities of national digital transformation and the development objectives of the ICT sector as a key source of digital innovation, advanced technological solutions, and highly qualified human capital. It is argued that the effectiveness of digital transformation policy depends on the coherence of institutional, organizational, technological, and innovation-oriented instruments of public governance capable of supporting sustainable structural modernization of the economy. The study identifies the principal strategic priorities of national digital transformation, including the development of resilient digital infrastructure, digital modernization of public administration and public services, digitalization of key sectors of the economy, strengthening cybersecurity and digital sovereignty, enhancing digital skills and human capital, and deepening integration into the European and global digital environment. Simultaneously, the strategic priorities for unlocking the ICT sector's potential are defined as stimulating innovation-driven development, expanding export capacity, fostering a modern digital innovation ecosystem, advancing cybersecurity and defense technologies (defense-tech), and strengthening the integration of ICT into the digital modernization of all sectors of the economy. The paper further develops a conceptual framework for implementing digital transformation policy based on an interconnected system of organizational, institutional, economic, technological, and innovation components. These components include sectoral digitalization, ICT-driven technological modernization, digital transformation of governance, digital security and technological resilience, human capital development, modernization of digital infrastructure, international technological cooperation, and institutional coordination of digital reforms. It is demonstrated that the implementation of the proposed strategic priorities and conceptual provisions will contribute to technological modernization, innovation-led economic growth, increased international competitiveness, strengthened national and economic security, enhanced resilience of critical infrastructure, and accelerated post-war recovery. The proposed approach forms a comprehensive strategic basis for building a resilient, innovation-oriented, and high-tech model of Ukraine's national economy under conditions of global digital transformation and wartime challenges.