With 1.2 billion people expected to reach working age in the next 10 to 15 years, the institution is turning to digital technology to help bridge connectivity gaps and tackle mounting job pressures…….
The World Bank has unveiled a new strategy to expand digital connectivity and reduce the cost of accessing internet services and technology in developing countries, as concerns grow over the region’s ability to generate enough jobs for its expanding workforce.
The institution said the initiative would focus on improving connectivity infrastructure, making entry-level smartphones and broadband services more affordable, expanding access to digital services and exploring targeted applications of artificial intelligence.
World Bank President Ajay Banga said digital technology could help countries create jobs and maximise the use of limited resources, but noted that achieving these benefits would require a comprehensive approach.
“Digital technology can help countries create jobs and make scarce resources go further,” Banga said.
“Realizing that potential requires a comprehensive approach from reliable connectivity and affordable devices to digital skills and useful services,” he added in a statement.
The Washington-based institution said developing economies were under growing pressure to meet the needs of their populations, particularly as millions of young people prepare to enter the labour market amid limited economic opportunities.
According to the bank, approximately 1.2 billion people in developing countries are expected to reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years. However, projections indicate that these economies will generate only about 420 million jobs within the same period, highlighting the scale of the employment challenge.
Against this backdrop, the World Bank’s strategy seeks to strengthen the digital infrastructure needed to support economic activity while lowering the financial barriers that prevent many people from accessing online services.
The plan also aims to broaden the availability of digital services and examine how artificial intelligence can be deployed in targeted areas to support development.
The bank noted that access to the internet remains sharply uneven across income groups, with just 23 per cent of people in low-income countries using the internet, compared with 94 per cent in high-income economies.
The disparity underscores the digital divide facing poorer nations, where limited connectivity and the high cost of devices and internet services continue to restrict access to digital opportunities.
