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Empowering Ethiopians by Laying the Digital Foundations for Economic Growth
Since 2021, three World Bank-supported projects in Ethiopia have helped expand digital access significantly, benefiting more than seven million Ethiopians to date and facilitating the transition to a modern digital economy through support to the regulator and line ministry. Digital sector reforms have also helped drive economic growth and financial inclusion.
Leveraging Private Sector Investment in Digital Communications Infrastructure in Eastern Africa
This new study provides guidance on World Bank involvement in Digital Communications Infrastructure projects in Eastern Africa, focusing on specific projects and outlining a roadmap for a Commercial Transaction Manual and multi-round reverse auction strategies.
World Bank to Accelerate Digital Inclusion for 180 Million People Across Eastern and Southern Africa
A new program that will benefit over 180 million people by 2032 is poised to significantly increase access to the internet and the inclusive use of digitally enabled services and transform the digital landscape in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Press Release | Angola Factsheet | DRC Factsheet | Malawi Factsheet
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Digitalization presents immense opportunities for development in Eastern and Southern Africa, including job creation, poverty reduction, and improved service delivery, but current levels of internet availability and access are insufficient and uneven. The region currently has the slowest pace of digitalization globally, with only 64 percent of the population covered by high-speed internet, and just 24 percent of the population using the internet as of 2023.
Countries across the region are facing similar challenges to digitalization including limited internet coverage, especially in rural areas, inadequate data infrastructure, low usage due to high cost of data and devices, and risks related to cybersecurity and data protection. To realize the benefits of digitalization, countries need to strengthen digital infrastructure, promote regulatory harmonization, enhance digital skills, and address disparities in access to digital services.
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Digital technologies, from computers to apps to machine learning, offer new opportunities for people, businesses, and jobs.
Revolutionizing the region’s digital landscape – IDEA
The World Bank’s Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) program (approved June 27, 2024) is setting out to revolutionize the region’s digital landscape, helping achieve universal digital access by 2030, in line with African Union and UN objectives.
This ambitious initiative aims to increase access to the internet and the inclusive use of digitally enabled services that will benefit over 180 million people (half women) in 15 countries (starting with Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi) and Regional Economic Communities. With a budget of up to $2.48 billion, IDEA is financed through the International Development Association (IDA) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Learn more...
More About Digital Transformation in Africa
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The Digital Economy Initiative for Africa (DE4A) aims to ensure that every individual, business, and government in Africa will be digitally enabled by 2030 in support of the African Union “Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa.”