As described on the World Bank's website:

"The Communications Investment Division of the World Bank Group’s Global Information and Communication Technologies Department provides long-term financing in emerging telecom markets. We focus on new private sector projects, sustainable private enterprises that are expanding or modernizing, and state-owned enterprises that are clearly on the path to privatization. The division’s main aims are to:

• Extend access for basic voice and data communications services to unserved or underserved areas, primarily through mobile and fixed-line services;
• Support advanced telephony such as broadband infrastructure and convergent technologies;
• Promote market liberalization and deregulation through support for the privatization of incumbent operators;
• Encourage and support competition and customer choice by working with alternative operators, networks and technologies; and
• Support the manufacturing of telecom equipment in developing countries.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) make up a critical part of a country's infrastructure today. Developing countries can draw on the long-term financing of the World Bank to improve this part of their infrastructure.

In terms of a country's sovereignty, critics sometimes assert that financing from the World Bank comes with strings attached, for example requiring a country to follow certain prescriptions for its development path. At the same time, a country may choose this bargain in order to become stronger, and thus more able to exercise sovereignty.