The World Bank Group (WBG) Board of Directors has approved a US$137 million regional initiative aimed at strengthening the digital economy and creating jobs in Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with a major focus on expanding digital infrastructure.
The initiative represents the second phase of the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Programme (WARDIP) and is designed to build the foundations for a more competitive and connected digital economy across the region.
Known as WARDIP2, the programme aims to expand and upgrade broadband infrastructure, improve the regulatory environment for digital services, and enable businesses to scale and operate across regional markets. The project will also promote cross-border digital services and enhance regional digital integration in West Africa.
The World Bank estimates that approximately 5.2 million people will gain access to new or improved broadband connectivity through the programme, while 5.4 million additional users are expected to access digitally enabled services.
Michel Rogy, World Bank Digital and AI Regional Practice Director, said the initiative addresses a long-standing challenge in the region, where high-cost and unreliable connectivity has limited competitiveness and access to digital opportunities.
Through targeted investments, the programme will expand resilient broadband networks, strengthen international connectivity, and increase data centre capacity. These measures are intended to support digital job creation and improve service delivery across both the public and private sectors.
The initiative also includes a strong focus on digital skills development, with plans to train 9,000 individuals, including women and youth, in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital entrepreneurship.
According to Marina Wes, Acting World Bank Regional Integration Director for Africa, the programme will also support regulatory reforms and improved digital governance across participating countries.
She noted that harmonising regulations, lowering infrastructure deployment costs and improving competition will help create a more predictable investment environment, strengthen regional integration, and unlock private sector investment.
WARDIP2 will also support digital entrepreneurship ecosystems by expanding digital financial services and providing seed financing, market access and cross-border trade opportunities for SMEs and startups.
