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The World Bank Group has launched its first digital strategy, pooling its public and private sector capabilities to help developing countries expand affordable digital access, improve services, and create jobs.
The strategy rests on four priorities: expanding connectivity; making devices and data more affordable; strengthening digital services and skills; and building the foundations for artificial intelligence.
“Digital technology can help countries create jobs and make scarce resources go further. Realizing that potential requires a comprehensive approach—from reliable connectivity and affordable devices to digital skills and useful services,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.
“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.”
The launch comes as developing countries grapple with limited resources and a growing need for jobs. Over the next 10 to 15 years, 1.2 billion young people will reach working age in these countries, while their economies are projected to create only about 420 million jobs.
Barriers remain steep. Over 2 billion people were offline globally in 2025. Only 23 percent of people in low-income countries used the internet, against 94 percent in high-income countries. Many people live within network coverage but cannot afford a smartphone or data, lack digital skills, or have little access to relevant services.
On connectivity, the Bank will help close gaps from international cables to networks serving homes, schools, and clinics, supporting shared infrastructure, encouraging competition, and using public finance and guarantees to draw private investment into underserved markets.
Where electricity and connectivity are both missing, the strategy backs planning them together.
On affordability, it supports efforts to lower the cost of entry-level smartphones and broadband, through partnerships with manufacturers, mobile operators, financial institutions, and refurbishment businesses, including options for paying over time.
On services and skills, the Bank will back digital identification, payments, and secure information-sharing systems, alongside digital literacy and training linked to employment.
On AI, the strategy stresses “small AI”: tools adapted to specific tasks and local conditions, such as helping farmers identify crop disease, supporting health workers, or helping businesses manage inventory. Safeguards covering privacy, cybersecurity, and fraud protection run across all four priorities.
The Bank also announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative, which aims to give governments in emerging markets access to affordable computing capacity through shared, pay-as-you-go GPU infrastructure, as an alternative to standalone national data centres. It will focus initially on Africa and Latin America, with Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA as knowledge partners.
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