Approach paper: World Bank Information and Communication Technologies sector strategy

The World Bank Group (WBG) is reassessing and refocussing its role and priorities for engagement in the ICT sector and across sectors. This approach paper presents a roadmap for preparing the WBG’s new ICT sector strategy. It summarises WBG accomplishments since the last sector strategy was prepared and discusses the rationale, main emerging directions, and issues to be addressed in the new strategy. The document also introduces preliminary considerations for a results framework, a draft outline for the new strategy, and a timetable for preparation. A plan for consultations is also provided.

In this approach paper, the WBG proposes to formulate a new strategy around three directions:

• connect – expand affordable access tovoice, high-speed Internet, and informationand media networks
• innovate – use ICT for innovation across the economy and promote the growth of IT based service industries
• transform – support ICT applications to transform efficiency and accountability of services for increased development results

The document concludes that:

• a new ICT sector strategy will develop a results based framework for monitoring implementation progress
• the results framework will specify measurable indicators and major milestones to monitor inputs, outputs, intermediate outcomes, and impact of the strategy within a specified time horizon
• consultations will explore how the results framework may be best aligned with Country Assistance Strategies (CASs), Regional Action Plans, the Sustainable Infrastructure Action Plan, and Core
  ICT Indicators
• the results framework will be used to provide periodic implementation updates
• collection of data and information relevant to the results framework, will build on the existing collaboration with the World Bank’s Development Economics Data Department in the sector