The World Bank Group announced on March 10, 2026, a $137 million financing package to accelerate the digital economy in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, with a focus on upgrading digital infrastructure, improving the business environment, and supporting enterprises, Ecofin Agency reported.
Michel Rogy said the initiative will help West Africa speed up economic transformation by creating jobs, strengthening resilience, and building a more integrated regional digital market.
He noted that the program also targets one of the region’s persistent challenges: expensive and unreliable connectivity that limits competitiveness and access to digital opportunities.
The financing will primarily address the digital infrastructure gap by developing resilient broadband networks, strengthening international connectivity, and expanding data center capacity.
The World Bank estimates that about 5.2 million people across the three countries will gain access to high-speed internet through the program, while 5.4 million additional users are expected to access digital services.
These investments aim to improve access to both public and private services while supporting broader digital economic activity.
The program also includes investments in digital skills development. Around 9,000 people are expected to receive training in digital professions, with a particular focus on women and young people, in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship.
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Another key objective is regional integration. The initiative aims to strengthen the West African digital market through regulatory harmonization, improved digital governance, and stronger competition.
The World Bank is working with the West African Economic and Monetary Union to support reforms and reduce infrastructure deployment costs.
According to Marina Wes, the goal is to make markets more predictable and attractive to investors while deepening regional cooperation.
The financing will also support entrepreneurship and job creation by strengthening startup ecosystems, expanding digital financial services, and providing seed funding alongside better access to markets and regional digital trade opportunities. More than 140 digital startups, including women-led businesses, are expected to benefit.
This phase builds on the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project launched in November 2023. The first operation, worth $266.5 million, covered Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania in partnership with the African Union, Smart Africa, and the Economic Community of West African States.
According to the World Bank, that first phase was expected to benefit about 1.3 million people. With WARDIP 2, the program now expands to seven countries and incorporates UEMOA into the framework.
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Image Credit: The Odessa Journal
