SEOUL, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – On Tuesday, the World Bank Group introduced its inaugural digital strategy, designed to assist developing nations in broadening affordable digital access, enhancing public services, and generating employment opportunities. This comprehensive plan integrates the institution’s capabilities across both public and private sectors into a unified framework. The announcement was made during the group’s Global AI and Digital Summit held in Seoul on October 20. Co-hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy and Ministry of Science and ICT, the event showcased the strategy’s significance.
The document outlines four strategic focus areas for upcoming years. The first involves expanding dependable connectivity, covering everything from international cables to networks servicing households, schools, and health clinics. The second emphasizes making entry-level smartphones and data plans more accessible and affordable. The third priority pertains to digital services and skills development, including digital ID systems, payment platforms, and employment-related training programs. The fourth aims to establish the essential infrastructure for countries to benefit from artificial intelligence. All four areas include safeguards related to privacy, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga highlighted how digital technology can support job creation and optimize the use of limited resources. He stressed that unlocking this potential requires a holistic approach, spanning reliable connectivity, affordable devices, and practical services. Banga emphasized that the strategy consolidates these components to aid client nations. He also advocated for what he termed small AI, describing it as AI tailored for the people, which leverages local data and languages alongside inexpensive technology instead of relying on costly, large-scale models.
Developing nations confront a growing employment deficit
The rollout coincides with a period when developing countries are grappling with limited resources and an increasing demand for jobs. Over the next 10 to 15 years, an estimated 1.2 billion young individuals will enter the workforce within these nations. However, their economies are expected to generate only around 420 million jobs in that period. The World Bank Group views digital tools as a vital means to bridge this gap. It argues that technology can enable businesses to expand their customer reach, increase productivity, and access financial services more easily.
According to the bank, digital technology is anticipated to support employment across its five key sectors: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing with added value. Additionally, digital systems can significantly reduce public service delivery costs to citizens. The strategy combines financing, policy advice, private investment, and guarantees, establishing a foundation for collaboration with governments, tech firms, development agencies, and philanthropic organizations. In recent years, multilateral lenders have already increased their direct financing to developing economies.
Large segments of the population remain offline as AI projects commence
The World Bank Group notes that significant barriers still hinder digital access. In 2025, over 2 billion people worldwide were not connected online. Just 23% of individuals in low-income countries used the internet, compared to 94% in high-income nations. Many people are within network coverage areas but cannot afford smartphones or data plans, while others lack digital literacy or access to relevant services.
Alongside the digital strategy, the group announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative. This project aims to assist governments in emerging markets to access affordable computing resources via shared, pay-as-you-go GPU infrastructure, providing an alternative to constructing independent national data centers. Knowledge partners such as Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA are involved in this initiative, which initially targets Africa and Latin America, where the goal is to put small AI solutions into productive use.