The World Bank has allocated approximately $70 billion to support digital infrastructure development in Ghana and other developing nations.
The Bank is actively engaging in research and communication with African and other developing countries to identify investment needs and provide necessary assistance.
During a panel discussion at the WBG/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Marrakech on the topic “Building foundations for an inclusive digital future,” Mr. Axel Van Trostsenburg, Senior Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnership at the World Bank, emphasized the importance of bridging the digital divide between advanced and low-income countries. He stressed that a financial commitment is essential, as digital infrastructure cannot be built on hope alone.
In response to this need, the International Development Association (IDA), a subsidiary of the World Bank, is making $70 billion of its $93 billion replenishment available to Africa to support digital infrastructure and other developmental projects.
Trostsenburg highlighted the importance of developing physical digital infrastructure and connecting it to the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing the potential for significant economic growth through regional integration under AfCFTA.
He called for a multifaceted approach, including regulatory support, infrastructure development, and mobilizing private sector finance to foster digital development.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ghana’s Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, shared Ghana’s challenges in digital acceleration, citing insufficient access to finance due to global economic difficulties. The government is exploring Private-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to increase high-speed internet access.
Despite challenges, Ghana has launched various programs to benefit people of all backgrounds, from students to the working population, including farmers and individuals with disabilities. These initiatives have led to remarkable progress, with individuals who had never encountered computers now becoming software and robotic engineers.
Ghana is set to host the first global cybersecurity capacity-building conference in November 2023, aimed at strengthening capacities in the global south and reducing reliance on costly consultants for managing digital infrastructure.