BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 20. The World Bank
Group has unveiled its first digital strategy aimed at expanding
digital access in developing countries, improving services and
creating jobs.


According to information published on the World Bank's website,
the strategy focuses on four key areas: expanding access to
reliable connectivity, reducing the cost of devices and data,
developing digital services and skills, and preparing countries to
use artificial intelligence (AI).


“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,” World Bank Group
President Ajay Banga said.


According to him, the strategy brings these areas together to
help countries establish the conditions necessary to use modern
digital tools and harness the potential of so-called small AI,
designed to meet people's needs.


As the bank noted, over the next 10–15 years, 1.2 billion young
people in developing countries will reach working age, while the
economies of these countries are projected to create around 420
million jobs.


“Digital technology can support job creation across the World
Bank Group’s five priority sectors: infrastructure and energy,
agribusiness, health care, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
It can help businesses reach customers, improve productivity, and
access finance, while reducing the cost of delivering public
services.


Yet substantial barriers remain. Over 2 billion people were
offline globally in 2025. Only 23 percent of people in low-income
countries used the internet, compared with 94 percent in
high-income countries. Many people live within network coverage but
cannot afford a smartphone or data, lack digital skills, or have
limited access to services relevant to their needs.


The World Bank Group will help countries address gaps across the
network, from international cables and national connections to the
networks serving homes, businesses, schools, and clinics. Its
approach includes supporting shared infrastructure, encouraging
competition, and using public finance and guarantees to help
attract private investment into underserved markets. Where
electricity and connectivity are both missing, the strategy
supports planning them together,” the bank said.







Another priority will be making devices and data services more
affordable. According to the bank, this will involve partnerships
with manufacturers, mobile network operators, financial
institutions and companies involved in refurbishing and reusing
devices to reduce the cost of entry-level smartphones and expand
installment payment options.


“The World Bank Group will support reliable systems for digital
identification, payments, and secure information-sharing that make
public and private services easier to access. It will also help
countries strengthen digital literacy and training linked to
employment, enabling more people and small businesses to use
technology safely and productively.


The strategy will help countries strengthen connectivity, access
computing resources, develop usable local data, and build skills.
It emphasizes practical applications of “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—from privacy to cybersecurity and fraud protection -
run across all four priorities,” the bank said.


The World Bank also announced the launch of the AI
Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative. According to the bank, the
initiative is designed to help governments in emerging markets
access affordable computing capacity and use small AI to address
practical challenges.


“This is a new effort to help governments in emerging markets
access affordable compute capacity and put small AI to productive
use through shared, pay-as-you-go GPU infrastructure (specialized
computing power used to develop and run AI applications), offering
a practical alternative to standalone national data centers. The
initiative will have an initial focus on Africa and Latin America,
with knowledge partners including Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA,”
the World Bank said.