As business registries take on an increasingly central role in digital governance, their responsibilities have expanded well beyond record-keeping. Today, they are expected to deliver accurate, secure, and verifiable information; facilitate compliance; and support broader economic and regulatory systems through seamless integration and service delivery. 

Based on practical experience across various institutional and regional contexts, certain areas consistently emerge as critical for successful digital transformation. These areas reflect not only the operational demands of registrars but also the strategic expectations of governments, users, and international partners. 

Selected Priorities for Digital Transformation 

To deliver on their expanded role, modern business registries must be more than technically functional – they must be strategically designed, institutionally trusted, and responsive to the complex demands of today’s digital governance landscape. Drawing from NRD Companies’ experience supporting registry transformation across diverse legal and operational environments, several focus areas have consistently proven essential. These are not abstract principles – they are practical priorities that determine whether a registry can truly support trust, efficiency, and interoperability in the digital age. 

• Legal credibility and data integrity are foundational to a functioning registry 

If the information held is not accurate, verifiable, and current, trust in the institution – and the data it produces – is quickly eroded. The reliability of registry data directly influences confidence in business activity, investment, and regulatory enforcement. 

• Secure access control is another critical factor 

Modern systems must clearly define and enforce who can view, modify, or share registry data. Without strong identity and access management protocols, registries risk breaches, legal disputes, and regulatory failure. 

• System interoperability is no longer optional 

Effective registries must seamlessly exchange data with tax authorities, beneficial ownership databases, financial supervision bodies, courts, and others. Without this connectivity, regulatory processes become fragmented, inefficient, and prone to error. 

• Institutional trustworthiness depends on both the technical reliability of a registry and the transparency and consistency of its governance 

Stakeholders – from legal professionals to public administrators – need assurance that the system will perform as intended, and that its outputs are legally and operationally sound. 

• User experience and accessibility remain essential 

A technically sound system that users struggle to navigate delivers limited value. Services must be intuitive, multilingual where required, and inclusive of diverse user groups – including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), legal representatives, and administrators. 

NRD Companies’ Implementation Approach 

These priority areas are reflected in the solutions delivered by NRD Companies, including the Unified Registers Platform (URP©). This platform supports public authorities in building registries that are: 

• Legally sound and aligned with national legislation 

• Technologically secure and scalable 

• Integrated with other systems via robust APIs 

• Designed with transparent data governance and auditability 

• Locally owned, with full source code access and institutional capacity-building 

Through co-creation and practical implementation, registries supported by NRD Companies are transformed from isolated databases into trusted, service-oriented infrastructure capable of sustaining regulatory and economic resilience. 

Grounded in Global Thinking 

These insights align closely with the emerging global framework developed through the Draft Guide on Best Practices for Electronic Business Registries. While the full Guide identifies 24 Critical Performance Factors (CPFs), this article highlights those that, in NRD Companies’ experience, are especially critical for effective and sustainable digital transformation. 

On 1 September 2025, the Cape Town Convention Academic Project (CTCAP) – in collaboration with the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) and the University of Cambridge – will formally launch a global consultation on the Draft Guide. The Guide presents a comprehensive model for evaluating and improving registry systems, focusing on the legal, operational, and technical dimensions of performance. Its 24 CPFs serve as a practical and internationally relevant foundation for authorities looking to modernize their registries in line with global best practices. 

By referencing this framework, registry authorities can better align their modernization efforts with internationally recognized standards – ensuring not only compliance and institutional resilience, but also strategic readiness for cross-border cooperation and digital trust.