In 2017, a ransomware spread across multiple countries, causing an estimated $10 billion in damage to businesses worldwide. More recently, in Costa Rica, a major incident in 2022 forced the government to declare a national state of emergency and resulted in losses up to 2.4% of GDP.
Digital technologies are reshaping economies and public services, but they also introduce new and persistent risks. Cyber incidents can disrupt essential services, undermine trust in public institutions, and erase development gains built over years.
Cybersecurity, therefore, is no longer a narrow technical concern. It is a foundational element of economic growth, national security, and inclusive digital development.
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Kaduna digital skills program two years ago. The program has trained nearly 1,200 youth affected by conflict in the Nigerian state of Kaduna to prepare them for opportunities in the digital space. When COVID-19 drove many companies to shift to digital technologies this year, Loretta, 23, was ready. “The Click-On Kaduna experience has been nothing short of spectacular,” she said. “Because I had the skills already, I just got hired to manage the social media image of two clients.”
governments and citizens around the world. 
Netherlands for the World Bank 