The World Bank

Day 1 of the Global Digital Summit 2025 brought together thought leaders, including Google’s James Manyika, International Telecommunication Union’s Doreen Bogdan-Martin, World Bank's Managing Director Axel van Trotsenburg, and Digital Transformation VP Sangbu Kim, to explore digital solutions and discuss the future of digital development. Key topics included AI’s role in development, digital transformation, expanding connectivity, and addressing cybersecurity risks. Catch up on the event replay: http://wrld.bg/nnNI50VkixH #WBGDigitalSummit

🔴 REPLAY: Future-Proofing Development: Creating Digital Pathways to Opportunity Watch this fireside chat between IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop and GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath on creating digital pathways to opportunity - 🔗 http://wrld.bg/R0BP50UXZ4J #WBGDigitalSummit #IFCDigitalInfra

The Global Digital Summit brings together an exciting mix of government officials, thought leaders, private-sector representatives, and partner organizations. Together, we’ll explore cutting-edge digital solutions, share insights, and foster valuable discussions about the transformative work shaping the future of digital development. Learn more about #WBGDigitalSummit: http://wrld.bg/FZHK50VhH27 ➡️ Vision & Direction Panel: • Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director, Development Policy & Partnerships, The World Bank • Sangbu Kim, Vice President, Digital Transformation, The World Bank  • Amal EL FALLAH - SEGHROUCHNI, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Morocco  • Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General, International Telecommunication Union ➡️ Fireside Chat: • Ajay Banga, President, The World Bank Group • James Manyika, SVP, Research, Labs, Technology & Society, Google & Alphabet • Niala Boodhoo, Journalist (moderator)

What does the future of digital development look like, and how can we ensure it benefits everyone? Explore these questions at The World Bank's 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Under the theme “Digital Pathways for All”, we will discuss cutting-edge digital solutions, share insights, and foster valuable discussions about the transformative work shaping the future of digital development. 📅 Register here to or watch our flagship sessions on March 18-19: http://wrld.bg/etg450Vipeo #WBGDigitalSummit

Weekly Update: ➡️ 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱: 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹: Join us March 18-19 as we explore cutting-edge digital solutions and the transformative work shaping the future of digital development. #WBGDigitalSummit ➡️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: Managing Director Anna Bjerde shares five policies that are opening the gates to greater economic opportunities for women, ultimately benefitting us all. ➡️ 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮: Around 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity. Listen to our episode of #DevelopmentPodcast, where we explore how Mission 300 aims to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030. ➡️ 𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽: Over the next 10 years, 1.2 billion young people will be ready to enter the workforce, but millions may be left without jobs. Read how urban development can help drive job creation and economic development.

With approximately 5.45 billion people connected to the internet, alongside roughly 18 billion Internet of Things devices, economies, societies, businesses, and individuals have become highly dependent on the smooth operation of online systems. #Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical challenge; it’s a critical economic and development priority, especially for emerging markets. The report, 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀, dives into the drivers and consequences of cyber incidents worldwide. By analyzing thousands of cyber incidents across 190 countries, it uncovers key trends and provides practical, evidence-based policy recommendations to strengthen resilience in the most critical sectors. From strategic investments to policy actions, this report highlights steps that governments and private sector leaders can take to mitigate risks and protect #digital #infrastructure. 🔗 Read more: http://wrld.bg/C6YY50UYQzq

Digital technologies are reshaping economies, societies, and industries but how do we ensure that transformation benefits everyone?    At The World Bank Group's 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝘄𝗲’𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 “𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹,” focusing on scaling digital innovation, bridging digital divides, and unlocking economic opportunities for communities worldwide.    📅 Register here to join our flagship sessions on March 18-19 on World Bank Live: http://wrld.bg/5QtW50Vilv4 #WBGDigitalSummit 

Growing to high-income is difficult, especially with the global headwinds since the 2008 financial crisis. The World Bank's #GreaterHeights report explores how the #3istrategy of investment, infusion, and innovation can help economies in the region grow. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 🔹Since 1990, 27 countries across the globe have reached high-income status; of these, 10 are in Europe and have joined the European Union. 🔹Concern is growing that another 20 countries across Europe and Central Asia may have become caught in a middle-income trap, a development phase of repeated growth slowdowns, with per capita incomes systematically below the high-income threshold. 🔹To ensure that these countries overcome recent growth slowdowns and the challenges associated with the wobbly global environment, policy makers need to focus on two transitions. 🔹Unleashing the Schumpeterian forces of creative destruction is essential to the transition to high-income status in the years ahead. 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 🔹Middle-income countries (MICs) in Europe and Central Asia can reach high-income status only if firms are able to grow, innovate, and compete. 🔹Traditional policies centered on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) alone frequently prove misguided because they result in an excess of SMEs and do little to promote cumulative growth in jobs and output. 🔹Domestic competition should be reinvigorated to allow new, dynamic firms to emerge. 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 🔹The shortage and misallocation of talent are becoming a binding growth constraint on countries in Europe and Central Asia. 🔹Social mobility is the most important measure of the extent to which the talents of children are utilized well and, thus, whether societies have embraced a pro-growth focus. 🔹The quality of education across the MICs in Europe and Central Asia has deteriorated substantially in recent decades. 🔹To bolster social mobility and foster innovation, countries across Europe and Central Asia must dramatically overhaul education systems, particularly vocational and university education. 🔗 Read more: http://wrld.bg/kGG150VhHXJ

In the Philippines, our support has enhanced the implementation of reforms that incentivize private investment, including the promotion of infrastructure sharing, simplifying licensing, permits, and approval processes for network rollout, as well as increasing the coverage of 4G and 5G networks and improving the quality of mobile connectivity. Learn how we are supporting countries to make digital connectivity more accessible: http://wrld.bg/YZ6I50VhHkz

In São Paulo, Brazil, our support for urban mobility has significantly enhanced the public transport network, benefiting over 6 million daily rail users, primarily low-income residents. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to effective urban development and efficient transport systems. By integrating technical, environmental, social, and financial considerations, we are delivering practical and financially viable solutions for cities and investors. Learn how we are delivering and measuring impact: http://wrld.bg/gthk50VhElN