World Bank Group

Overview
"The World Bank Group (WBG) has 183 Member Countries, and an important influence on ICT development in a number of ways. The five financial institutions that make up the WBG provide loans, equity capital, investment guarantees and development assistance to governments, private investors and foreign investors in developing countries. The WBG has used these tools to encourage market-oriented policy and regulatory reforms, particularly in the telecommunications sector, and has provided an extensive program of research, training and technical assistance in these areas. In recent years, the WBG has broadened its focus to address the role that ICTs can play in reducing poverty and creating the conditions for sustainable development, by facilitating access to knowledge (e.g. the Global Knowledge Partnership and the Development Gateway)."