Digital Transformation and the Development of Ukraine’s IT Sector — Working Meeting with the World Bank Team

On 27 June, the IT Ukraine Association, in partnership with the Diia.City Union, held a meeting with representatives of the World Bank and key stakeholders from the Ukrainian IT market.

 

The World Bank was represented by:

 

• Maria Claudia and Nicola Bressan — digital transformation experts;
• Michel Kerf — Regional Director for Digital Transformation for ECA and LCR, who visited Ukraine for the first time as part of this mission.

 

Main topics discussed included:

 

• Stability and predictability of the regulatory environment as a key factor for IT business development during wartime;
• Presentation of the study “Digital Tiger: the Market Power of Ukrainian IT — 2024”, which highlights the IT sector’s role as a major export driver (37.4% of all services) and a source of innovation;
• Prospects for the development of high-tech fields: AgroTech, DefenseTech, AI, FinTech;
• Cybersecurity challenges: over 70% of Ukrainian companies still use software from the aggressor state, creating risks to national security and the economy.

 

Special attention was given to the implementation of the WINWIN strategy – Ukraine’s national strategy for innovation-driven development, where the IT Ukraine Association is responsible for the AgroTech direction. By integrating digital solutions into agriculture, logistics, energy, and manufacturing, WINWIN has the potential to boost productivity, reduce reliance on raw material exports, and trigger synergies in adjacent industries. This opens new opportunities for creating high-tech jobs and fostering sustainable economic growth.

 

Areas of potential cooperation with the World Bank include:

 

• Strengthening Ukraine’s cyber resilience and digital infrastructure;
• Supporting SMEs in transitioning to secure software solutions;
• Investing in innovation, R&D centres and technology parks as part of WINWIN implementation.

 

Ukraine’s IT sector is not only the backbone of the country’s digital transformation, but also a catalyst for the development of other sectors of the economy. We are grateful to the World Bank team for an insightful dialogue, strategic vision, and continued support for Ukraine’s tech community.