CAF has doubled its planned investment in Latin America and the Caribbean’s digital economy, committing US$12 billion to technology projects between 2026 and 2031.
The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean said the five-year programme would target artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, connectivity and technology infrastructure as governments seek to strengthen regional digital capabilities.
Announced at the International Forum Digitalizing to Transform in Santiago, Chile, the commitment represents a significant expansion of CAF’s financing for Digital Transformation.
The bank said funding would support technology adoption while helping countries build domestic capabilities rather than relying primarily on technologies developed outside the region.
Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President, CAF, urged governments to coordinate policies covering AI, data governance, computing infrastructure and cybersecurity, arguing that regional cooperation would give Latin America greater influence over emerging global technology rules.
“No single country in Latin America and the Caribbean can single-handedly influence the rules that will define the future of artificial intelligence,” Díaz-Granados said.
“A coordinated region can share capabilities, transform local solutions into regional assets and negotiate from a stronger position.”
The investment arrives as governments and enterprises in the region accelerate spending on AI infrastructure, cloud, connectivity, cybersecurity and data centres.
CAF’s financing could help address persistent gaps in computing capacity, connectivity and digital skills while supporting infrastructure needed to deploy emerging technologies at scale.
The initiative also signals an ambition to move Latin America beyond technology consumption towards a stronger role in developing, governing and commercialising the global digital economy on its own terms globally.
