SEOUL, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – On Tuesday, the World Bank Group introduced its first-ever digital strategy, designed to assist developing nations in broadening affordable digital connectivity, enhancing public services, and generating employment. This initiative consolidates the institution’s capabilities in both the public and private sectors into a unified framework. The strategy was unveiled during the group’s Global AI and Digital Summit held in Seoul on October 20. The event was jointly hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy and Ministry of Science and ICT.
The document outlines four key focus areas for the upcoming years. The initial priority is expanding dependable connectivity, encompassing everything from international submarine cables to local networks serving households, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. The second focuses on making entry-level smartphones and data more accessible financially. The third emphasizes digital services and skill development, including digital ID systems, payment solutions, and employment-related training programs. The fourth aims to establish foundational infrastructure for countries to leverage artificial intelligence. Privacy, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention safeguards are integrated across all four priorities.
Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank Group, emphasized that digital technology can play a crucial role in job creation and resource optimization for nations. He highlighted that realizing this potential depends on a comprehensive strategy that includes reliable connectivity, affordable devices, and practical services. Banga stated that the new strategy synthesizes these components for client countries. He also introduced the concept of small AI, describing it as AI for the people, which utilizes local data, indigenous languages, and inexpensive technology instead of costly large-scale models.
Developing nations confront an expanding employment gap
The timing of the launch coincides with a period when developing economies face limited resources and a rising demand for jobs. Over the next decade and a half, approximately 1.2 billion young people will enter the workforce in these regions. However, their economies are expected to generate only around 420 million new jobs during that period. The World Bank Group advocates for digital tools as a strategy to help narrow this employment gap, emphasizing that technology can facilitate business growth, improve productivity, and increase access to financial services.
Support for employment across the bank’s five main sectors—namely infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing with added value—is expected from digital innovations. These technologies can also reduce the costs associated with public service delivery. The strategy integrates financial support, policy guidance, private sector investment, and guarantees, creating a foundation for collaboration with governments, tech firms, development partners, and philanthropic organizations. Recently, multilateral lenders have expanded their direct financing initiatives to support developing economies.
Billions still lack online access as AI projects commence
According to the World Bank Group, significant barriers to digital access continue to exist. In 2025, over 2 billion people worldwide remained offline. In low-income countries, only 23% of the population used the internet, compared with 94% in high-income nations. Many individuals live within network coverage areas but cannot afford smartphones or data plans. Others lack the digital literacy skills or access to relevant services needed for full participation.
Alongside the strategy, the group announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative. This program aims to assist governments in emerging markets by providing affordable, shared GPU infrastructure on a pay-as-you-go basis, serving as an alternative to establishing individual national data centers. Knowledge partners in this effort include Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA. The initial focus will be on Africa and Latin America, with the goal of applying small AI solutions productively in these regions.