The World Bank Group launched its first digital strategy to help developing countries expand affordable connectivity, strengthen digital services and skills, and prepare to use artificial intelligence (AI). It also announced an initiative to provide emerging markets with access to shared computing infrastructure, initially focusing on Africa and Latin America. The strategy combines public and private sector financing, policy advice and guarantees to address barriers to digital access and support employment and public services. On connectivity, the strategy supports shared infrastructure, competition, and public finance and guarantees to attract private investment into underserved markets. It also supports joint planning for electricity and connectivity where both are absent. Partnerships with device manufacturers, mobile operators, financial institutions and refurbishment businesses are intended to reduce smartphone and data costs and expand responsible payment options. These measures address gaps that extend beyond network coverage: more than 2 billion people were offline globally in 2025, and internet use reached only 23% of people in low-income countries, compared with 94% in high-income countries. For services and skills, support will cover digital identification, payments and secure information sharing, alongside digital literacy and training linked to employment. AI readiness measures focus on computing access, usable local data and skills, emphasizing tools adapted to specific tasks, such as detecting crop disease or managing inventory. The new AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative will offer shared computing capacity using graphics processing units on a pay-as-you-go basis, providing an alternative to standalone national data centers. Its knowledge partners include Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA. Privacy, cybersecurity and fraud protection safeguards apply across all four strategic priorities.

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