World Bank Calls for Public-Private Collaboration to Transform Global Data Infrastructure

The World Bank is advocating for a transformative shift in how national data systems are built and sustained, urging governments to embrace structured partnerships with the private sector to meet the growing demand for real-time, reliable, and development-driven data.

In a recent joint commentary, Lisandro Martin, Director of the Outcomes Department, and Haishan Fu, Chief Statistician at the World Bank, emphasized that governments alone cannot shoulder the complexity and cost of modernizing data ecosystems. Instead, a new model—anchored in trust, co-investment, and shared accountability—is needed to fully unlock the potential of data for development and job creation.

According to the World Bank, today’s data infrastructure must evolve from traditional, siloed systems into modular, cloud-based platforms capable of capturing continuous, high-frequency insights. These systems must be user-centered, interoperable, and built to accommodate innovation, particularly in areas like AI, satellite imagery, and geospatial analytics.

Citing successful initiatives in countries such as Indonesia, Colombia, and Togo, the Bank highlighted how the private sector’s agility, capital, and technical expertise have already helped deliver high-impact data solutions. These include AI-powered poverty mapping, real-time agricultural monitoring, and targeted social protection programs during emergencies.

To scale such efforts, the World Bank is proposing a “Data Compact”—a framework for public-private co-financing of national data infrastructure. The Compact would be supported by statistical co-investment funds, real-time data platforms, embedded innovation units in national statistical offices, and stronger governance mechanisms to ensure data privacy and accountability.

The approach signals a shift in the role of the private sector—from data provider to strategic partner in development. Just as telecom networks and energy grids are co-built and co-financed, the Bank envisions a future where national data systems operate through shared governance and investment.