Responding to the Digital Revolution

Did the Bank support client countries in rolling out new technologies, building communications infrastructures, and investing in information resources for sustainable development? What factors were influential in recognizing and responding to country needs and demands for digital development assistance? The author organized a Bank task force to examine ICT role in Bank lending, and drafted a staff manifesto that was presented to the Bank’s senior management and disseminated widely among staff. The task force advocated a proactive approach to apply digital technologies across sectors in Bank-funded development projects. Building ICT assistance competencies would be critical to the Bank’s future relevance and the quality of its portfolio across all economic sectors. Systemic constraints were identified to mainstream digital development.