SEOUL, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – In Seoul on October 20, the World Bank Group introduced its pioneering digital strategy aimed at aiding developing nations in expanding affordable digital access, enhancing services, and generating employment opportunities. This initiative integrates the institution’s capabilities in both the public and private sectors into a unified framework. The announcement took place during the group’s Global AI and Digital Summit, which was co-hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy along with the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Outlined within the strategy are four main focus areas for the upcoming years. The first emphasizes extending dependable connectivity, spanning from international submarine cables to networks that connect homes, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. The second prioritizes making entry-level smartphones and data plans more accessible and affordable. The third involves enhancing digital services and skills, such as digital identification, payments, and job-focused training. The fourth aims to prepare nations to harness the potential of artificial intelligence, with a strong emphasis on privacy, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention across all areas.
According to Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, digital advancements have the potential to generate employment and optimize limited resources within developing economies. He highlighted that unlocking this potential demands a holistic approach that includes reliable connectivity, affordable devices, and meaningful services. Banga emphasized that the strategy consolidates these elements to support client nations, advocating for what he termed small AI, which he described as AI for the people. This approach relies on local data, local languages, and cost-effective technology instead of expensive, large-scale models.
Developing Countries Confront a Growing Jobs Shortfall
Earlier this week, the launch coincided with a recognition that developing nations are grappling with limited resources and an increasing employment deficit. Over the next 10 to 15 years, an estimated 1.2 billion young individuals will enter the workforce in these regions. However, projections indicate that only around 420 million new jobs will be created in that timeframe. The World Bank Group views digital technology as a vital tool in narrowing this gap, enabling businesses to reach customers more effectively, boost productivity, and access financial services more easily.
It anticipates digital solutions will support employment growth across its five key sectors: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing. Additionally, digital infrastructure can reduce the costs associated with public service delivery. The strategy combines financial support, policy advice, private sector investments, and guarantees, forming a foundation for collaboration with governments, technology firms, development partners, and philanthropic organizations. Recently, multilateral lenders have increased their direct financing to developing economies.
Billions Still Without Internet Access as AI Push Kicks Off
The World Bank Group identified persistent obstacles to digital inclusion, noting that over 2 billion people remained offline globally in 2025. Usage rates highlight disparities, with only 23% of individuals in low-income countries accessing the internet, compared to 94% in high-income nations. Many individuals live in areas covered by networks yet cannot afford smartphones or data plans. Others lack the necessary digital skills or access to relevant services for their needs.
Alongside the strategy, the bank announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative. This program aims to assist governments in emerging markets in obtaining affordable computing power via shared, pay-as-you-go GPU infrastructure, providing a cost-effective alternative to establishing standalone data centers. The initiative is supported by knowledge partners Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA. Its initial focus will be on Africa and Latin America, where the group intends to leverage small AI for productive use.