{"id":28565,"date":"2026-03-12T18:05:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T16:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/?post_type=news&#038;p=28565"},"modified":"2026-03-12T18:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T16:07:10","slug":"the-developments-come-as-the-war-continues-to-intensify-across-the-region-prompting-growing-international-concern-the-bahrain-tabled-resolution-introduced-on-behalf-of-the-gulf-cooperation","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/news\/the-developments-come-as-the-war-continues-to-intensify-across-the-region-prompting-growing-international-concern-the-bahrain-tabled-resolution-introduced-on-behalf-of-the-gulf-cooperation\/","title":{"rendered":"World Bank approves $137 million digital integration programme to boost jobs in Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The second phase of the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program, known as WARDIP2, aims to strengthen the foundations of a modern digital economy by improving infrastructure, enhancing the business environment and enabling firms to operate across borders.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The programme is expected to expand broadband access, increase digital financing opportunities and support the growth of regional digital services markets. Around 5.2 million people will be connected to new or upgraded broadband networks, while 5.4 million new users are expected to gain access to digitally enabled public and private services.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis new initiative positions West Africa to accelerate economic transformation by creating jobs, strengthening resilience and enabling a more integrated regional digital market,\u201d said Michel Rogy, the World Bank\u2019s Digital and Artificial Intelligence Regional Practice Director. He noted that high\u2011cost and unreliable connectivity remain major barriers to competitiveness and economic opportunity in the region.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>WARDIP2 will include large\u2011scale investments in broadband networks, international connectivity links and data\u2011centre capacity, laying critical groundwork for digital industries and improved service delivery. A key component of the programme will invest in people, offering digital skills training for 9 000 individuals, including women and young people, with opportunities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Marina Wes, acting Regional Integration Director for Africa, said the programme would help harmonise regulations, modernise digital governance and improve competition across participating markets. \u201cLower deployment costs and expanded access to affordable, high\u2011quality connectivity are critical to deepening regional integration, unlocking private capital and creating jobs,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>WARDIP2 will also support small and medium enterprises and digital startups, providing seed financing, market access and opportunities for cross\u2011border digital trade. More than 140 startups, including women\u2011led firms, are expected to benefit.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Launched in 2023, WARDIP began with support to The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea\u2011Bissau and Mauritania. With the approval of WARDIP2, the initiative now spans seven countries and extends support to the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;WorldBank\/ChannelAfrica&#8211;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":28566,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"news-type":[44],"class_list":["post-28565","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-finance","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"The World Bank Group has approved a $137\u2011million regional initiative designed to accelerate job creation and deepen digital integration across Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone.\u00a0","published_date":"","news_description":"The World Bank Group has approved a $137\u2011million regional initiative designed to accelerate job creation and deepen digital integration across Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone.\u00a0","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/28565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/28565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28568,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/28565\/revisions\/28568"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=28565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}