World Bank launches digital strategy for Africa
The institution aims to boost connectivity, affordable devices, skills, and AI readiness to create jobs for a growing youth population.
The World Bank Group unveiled its first digital strategy for Africa and developing nations on October 20, 2026, in Seoul. The plan focuses on four key areas: connectivity, affordable devices, digital skills, and artificial intelligence. This initiative is critical for Africa, where only 23 percent of people in low-income countries use the internet, highlighting a significant digital divide.
The strategy aims to help developing countries expand affordable access to digital services and create jobs. World Bank President Ajay Banga stated that digital technologies can help countries generate employment and optimize limited resources. This comes as one point two billion young people in developing nations are expected to enter the workforce in the next 10 to 15 years, with only 420 million jobs projected.
The plan includes developing reliable connectivity from undersea cables to homes, schools, and health centers. It also supports making devices and data more affordable through partnerships, developing digital services and skills for employment, and strengthening readiness for AI, particularly "small AI" tools suited for local conditions. The strategy also emphasizes data protection, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention.
Why it mattersYoung people in developing countries, including Africa, will be affected by the strategy's focus on job creation through digital access and skills.