The World Bank Group has announced an initiative to help governments in Africa and Latin America access computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence, offering a shared alternative to building standalone national data centers.
The AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative was announced Oct. 20 alongside the World Bank Group’s first digital strategy, which aims to expand affordable internet access, improve digital services and support job creation in developing countries.
The initiative is designed to provide governments in emerging markets with shared, pay-as-you-go access to graphics processing unit (GPU) infrastructure, specialized computing power used to develop and run AI applications.
Cassava Technologies and U.S. technology company NVIDIA are named as knowledge partners.
“Digital technology can help countries create jobs and make scarce resources go further,” World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said in announcing the broader digital strategy.
“Realizing that potential requires a comprehensive approach from reliable connectivity and affordable devices to digital skills and useful services,” he said.
The initiative comes as developing countries face pressure to expand employment opportunities while addressing persistent gaps in internet access, affordability and digital skills.
Digital access remains a barrier
More than 2 billion people worldwide were offline in 2025, according to the World Bank Group. Internet use stood at 23% in low-income countries, compared with 94% in high-income countries.
The institution said many people live within mobile network coverage but cannot afford smartphones or data. Others lack the digital skills or access to relevant services needed to benefit from internet connectivity.
Its digital strategy identifies four priorities: expanding reliable connectivity, making devices and data more affordable, strengthening digital services and skills, and helping countries prepare to benefit from artificial intelligence.
The strategy also emphasizes safeguards covering data privacy, cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
The proposed shared-computing model is intended to offer governments an alternative to developing standalone national data centers. However, the announcement does not explain how governments will access the infrastructure, how much they will pay or which countries will participate.
Practical AI applications
The World Bank Group is promoting what it calls “small AI” tools adapted to specific tasks and local conditions.
Potential applications include helping farmers identify crop diseases, supporting health workers and enabling businesses to manage inventory, according to the institution.
Such tools could be relevant to African economies, particularly in agriculture, health care and small-business development. Their practical value will depend on the availability of reliable electricity, internet connectivity, suitable data, trained personnel and affordable computing services.
The bank’s wider digital strategy also covers infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, health care, tourism and value-added manufacturing.
The initiative’s focus on shared computing could reduce the need for each participating government to establish its own standalone infrastructure. The announcement, however, does not provide cost comparisons or quantify potential savings.
Jobs challenge drives digital push
The World Bank Group estimates that 1.2 billion young people in developing countries will reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years, while their economies are projected to create about 420 million jobs.
The institution argues that digital technology can help businesses reach customers, improve productivity and access finance, while reducing the cost of delivering public services.
For Burundi and other countries in the region, the initiative raises questions about whether shared AI infrastructure could eventually support local businesses, agricultural services and public institutions.
Access to computing power alone would not resolve the wider barriers to digital adoption. Electricity reliability, connectivity costs, workforce skills and data protection will also influence whether AI tools can be used effectively.
The World Bank Group said its digital strategy would combine financing, policy advice, private investment and guarantees to help countries expand digital access and improve services.
