The World Bank Group held its second annual Global Digital Summit on March 18, 2025, in Washington. This event brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to advance digital technology initiatives with a focus on bridging the digital divide and fostering economic growth.
The event highlighted the ongoing challenge posed by the digital divide, which leaves 2.6 billion people offline and many more without access to affordable and reliable connectivity. The World Bank Group, with its partners, is committed to closing this gap by accelerating digital adoption, enhancing digital public infrastructure, and increasing digital access for women.
A significant part of the summit involved discussions on the Accelerating Digitalization Global Challenge Program. The program is designed to help countries rapidly adopt digital solutions. Its digital public infrastructure components include digital IDs, payments, and data-sharing platforms which connect individuals to essential services such as employment, finance, healthcare, and education. By enhancing these digital tools, the World Bank Group aims to ensure accessible and secure service delivery.
Through the Global Challenge Program, countries and regions are encouraged to expand their digital efforts by fostering cross-border innovation and creating integrated digital markets. This shared infrastructure and harmonized regulation make private sector involvement more viable, encouraging economies of scale.
A new initiative was also launched at the summit under the Digital Development Partnership, funded by the Gates Foundation. This initiative aims to expand affordable connectivity and digital skills for women in low- and middle-income countries. This effort aligns with the World Bank’s broader target of connecting 300 million more women to broadband by 2030.
Sangbu Kim, World Bank Vice President for Digital Transformation, stated, “Digital transformation is one of the greatest opportunities of our time to drive growth and inclusion, especially at a moment when development is at a critical inflection point. Digital technology can spark innovation, create jobs, and break down barriers to opportunity. With over 80 years of experience, the World Bank Group is uniquely positioned to help nations harness digital solutions for a more resilient future.”