In countries and territories affected by Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV), digital technologies can support economic and social development. Well-designed digital solutions can help address fragility and conflict, yet, due to a diverse set of barriers including insecurity, inequality, marginalization, market unattractiveness, and poor governance, digital transformation lags in Fragile and Conflict Affected Situations (FCS) compared to peers at similar income levels, widening the digital divide for vulnerable populations.
To counter this trend, World Bank projects in FCS employ an FCV-sensitive approach to ensure that interventions do not widen the digital divide or fuel tensions. They also address systemic constraints to development, strengthen societal and economic resilience, and consider the ethical and legal risks of digital technologies, which are often exacerbated in FCS.
Efforts to improve access to resilient broadband, enhance equitable delivery of digital services, implement critical reforms to strengthen digital safeguards, and foster economic inclusion of marginalized and at-risk populations are tailored to address drivers, risks, and impacts of FCV in each country context.
Projects also improve infrastructure resilience against extreme weather events and enhance private sector engagement through de-risking mechanisms. These efforts support FCS in strengthening resilience, improving inclusiveness, and unlocking economic opportunities for long-term stability.