Increase access to affordable, high-quality broadband connectivity, high-impact, in-demand digital services and solutions, as well as industry-relevant digital skills.

The Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) program has four pillars in line with the focus areas, within the priorities outlined in the World Bank Evolution, and adapted to Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) needs to offer a flexible menu of options. Pillar 1: Affordable broadband and secure data hosting. This pillar focuses on expanding essential, high-quality, resilient, and affordable broadband infrastructure and services while supporting investment in secure data infrastructure and the development of cloud and data hosting markets. Pillar 2: Interoperable and secure data platforms. This pillar will focus on deploying interoperable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance efficiencies in both public and private sectors, strengthening institutions, and developing the cross-cutting enablers and digital safeguards needed to promote trusted and safe use of digital technologies and digitally enabled services at the national level and across borders. Pillar 3: High-impact digital services and productive digital usage. This pillar focuses on (a) advancing digitally enabled applications and services, which can potentially have a high impact on economic and social activities (prioritizing social protection, education, Digital Financial Services (DFS), and climate-related applications in the initial phases); (b) increasing digital and financial literacy to support general uptake of digital services; (c) strengthening digital skills and competencies among citizens, businesses, and the public sector; and (d) developing a digitally enabled entrepreneurial ecosystem to increase productive usage and the development of these services. Pillar 4: Project Management. This pillar will support the critical building blocks for strong implementation, learnings, and coordination of the Program at regional and national levels.