WASHINGTON, October 20, 2026 — The World Bank Group has launched its first digital strategy, bringing together its public and private sector capabilities to help developing countries expand affordable digital access, improve services and create jobs.
The strategy focuses on four priorities: expanding connectivity; making devices and data more affordable; strengthening digital services and skills; and helping countries build the foundations needed to benefit from artificial intelligence [AI].
“Digital technology can help countries create jobs and make scarce resources go further. Realising 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,” he added.
The launch comes as developing countries face twin challenges of constrained resources and a growing need for jobs.
Over the next 10 to 15 years, about 1.2 billion young people are expected to reach working age in developing countries, while their economies are projected to create only about 420 million jobs.
The World Bank Group said digital technology can support job creation across its five priority sectors: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
It can help businesses reach customers, improve productivity and access finance, while reducing the cost of delivering public services.
However, substantial barriers to digital inclusion remain.
More than two billion people were offline globally in 2025, while only 23 per cent of people in low-income countries used the internet, compared with 94 per cent in high-income countries.
The World Bank Group said many people live within network coverage but cannot afford smartphones or data, lack digital skills, or have limited access to services relevant to their needs.
Four areas of action
Under the first priority, expanding reliable connectivity, the World Bank Group will help countries address gaps across digital networks, from international cables and national connections to networks serving homes, businesses, schools and health facilities.
Its approach includes supporting shared infrastructure, encouraging competition, and using public finance and guarantees to attract private investment to underserved markets.
Where access to electricity and connectivity are both lacking, the strategy supports planning the two together.
On making devices and data more affordable, the strategy supports efforts to lower the cost of entry-level smartphones and broadband services.
The World Bank Group said partnerships with manufacturers, mobile operators, financial institutions and refurbishment businesses could help reduce prices and expand responsible options for consumers to pay for devices over time.
The third priority, expanding digital services and skills, will involve supporting reliable systems for digital identification, payments and secure information-sharing to make public and private services easier to access.
The World Bank Group will also help countries strengthen digital literacy and employment-linked training, enabling more people and small businesses to use technology safely and productively.
Under the fourth priority, building readiness for AI, the strategy will help countries strengthen connectivity, access computing resources, develop usable local data and build relevant skills.
It emphasises practical applications of “small AI” — tools adapted to specific tasks and local conditions, such as helping farmers identify crop diseases, supporting health workers and helping businesses manage inventory.
Safeguards covering privacy, cybersecurity and fraud protection will underpin all four priorities.
The strategy brings together the World Bank Group’s financing, policy advice, private investment and guarantees around countries’ development priorities.
It also provides a framework for working with governments, technology companies, development partners and philanthropic organisations to extend digital opportunities to more people and businesses.
The overall aim is to help countries turn digital access into higher productivity, better services and more opportunities for people to earn a living.
AI infrastructure initiative
Complementing the strategy’s focus on AI readiness and adaptation, the World Bank Group also announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative.
The new initiative will help governments in emerging markets access affordable computing capacity and put small AI to productive use through shared, pay-as-you-go GPU infrastructure.
GPUs are specialised computing units used to develop and run AI applications.
The World Bank Group said the model offers a practical alternative to countries establishing standalone national data centres.
The initiative will initially focus on Africa and Latin America, with knowledge partners including Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA.
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