World Bank Group launches its first digital strategy to expand access and create jobs

20 October 2026

The World Bank Group launched its first digital strategy on October 20, 2026, to expand affordable digital access, improve services and create jobs in developing countries. It has four priorities: reliable connectivity, more affordable devices and data, stronger digital services and skills, and readiness for artificial intelligence. The release says over 2 billion people were offline globally in 2025, and that 23 per cent of people in low-income countries used the internet against 94 per cent in high-income countries. It notes that 1.2 billion young people in developing countries will reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years while those economies are projected to create about 420 million jobs. President Ajay Banga said digital technology can help countries create jobs and make scarce resources go further.