21-10-2026
By Bob Koigi | Channel: artificial-intelligence
| Tags: Africa
Artificial Intelligence
Banking
Tech
World Bank
World Bank Group launches first digital strategy
The World Bank Group has launched its first digital strategy, bringing together public-sector support and private investment to help developing countries expand internet access, improve digital services and create jobs. The strategy sets out four priorities: expanding connectivity, making devices and data more affordable, strengthening digital services and skills, and preparing countries to benefit from artificial intelligence (AI).
The initiative comes as developing economies face growing employment pressures. Over the next 10 to 15 years, 1.2 billion young people are expected to reach working age in developing countries, while their economies are projected to generate around 420 million jobs. The World Bank Group sees digital technology as a way to improve productivity, support businesses and extend access to essential services.
World Bank Group targets digital connectivity and affordability
Despite progress in digital infrastructure, access remains uneven. More than 2 billion people worldwide were offline in 2025. Internet use reached just 23 percent of people in low-income countries, compared with 94 percent in high-income countries.
The strategy addresses barriers beyond network coverage, including the cost of smartphones and data, limited digital skills and a lack of relevant online services. The World Bank Group plans to support investment across the connectivity infrastructure chain, from international cables and national networks to connections serving homes, businesses, schools and healthcare facilities.
Its approach includes promoting infrastructure sharing, encouraging competition and using public financing and guarantees to attract private investment to underserved markets. Where electricity and internet access are both lacking, the strategy supports coordinated infrastructure planning.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga: “Digital technology can help countries create jobs and make scarce reive approach—from reliable connectivity and affordable devices to digital skills and useful services. Our first digital strategy brings these pieces together, helping countries build the foundations to benefit from today’s digital tools and the promise of small AI—AI for the people.”
Digital services and skills support economic growth
The strategy also focuses on making digital tools more accessible to individuals and businesses. Proposed measures include partnerships with smartphone manufacturers, mobile operators, financial institutions and refurbishment businesses to reduce device costs and expand responsible payment options.
The World Bank Group will also support digital identification, payment systems and secure information-sharing infrastructure to improve access to public and private services. Digital literacy and employment-focused training are intended to help individuals and small businesses use technology safely and productively.
These measures are designed to support economic activity across five priority sectors: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing. Digital tools can help businesses reach customers, access finance and improve productivity while reducing the cost of delivering public services.
World Bank Group expands AI readiness in developing countries
The fourth priority focuses on helping countries establish the infrastructure and skills required to use AI. This includes improving connectivity, accessing computing re
The strategy emphasises small AI: tools designed for specific tasks and local needs rather than requiring every application to rely on large-scale computing infrastructure. Potential uses include helping farmers identify crop diseases, supporting healthcare workers and enabling businesses to manage inventory.
Privacy, cybersecurity and fraud protection are intended to underpin all four strategic priorities, addressing risks associated with wider digital adoption.
AI infrastructure initiative targets Africa and Latin America
Alongside the strategy, the World Bank Group announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative, which aims to help governments in emerging markets access affordable computing capacity and apply AI to practical challenges.
The initiative will support shared, pay-as-you-go graphics processing unit (GPU) infrastructure, which provides specialised computing power for developing and running AI applications. This model offers an alternative to governments building standalone national data centres.
The initial focus will be on Africa and Latin America, with knowledge partners including Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA. The initiative complements the broader strategy by addressing infrastructure and affordability barriers that could otherwise limit AI adoption.
World Bank Group combines public finance and private investment
The digital strategy brings together the World Bank Group’s financing, policy advice, private investment and guarantees around individual countries’ priorities. It also establishes a framework for collaboration with governments, technology companies, development partners and philanthropic organisations.
The overarching objective is to turn digital access into measurable economic benefits, including higher productivity, improved public services and more opportunities for people to earn a living.
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