As cholera continues to pose a serious threat to lives and livelihoods across Africa, government representatives from the water and health sectors, scientists, and partners convened in Livingstone, Zambia, from 20–22 October 2025, to develop a renewed strategy for ending the disease. The Regional Expert Consultation on Cholera Prevention and Control, organized by the WHO… [Read More]
World Bank
ILO Director-General Urges Global Action to Strengthen Decent Work Amid Economic Uncertainty
Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has called on international financial leaders to prioritize decent work and social justice in their policy frameworks. Speaking through written statements to the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., Houngbo highlighted the critical role that strong labour institutions… [Read More]
Agriculture, Employment, and Economic Growth: Building Job-Rich Economies
With more than a billion young people expected to enter the workforce over the next decade, creating sufficient jobs and opportunities has become a critical global challenge. Jobs are not just a source of income; they provide self-sufficiency, dignity, and hope, making employment one of the most effective routes out of poverty. At the World… [Read More]
Colombia Poverty Reduction: Five Strategies to Bridge Regional Inequalities
During a recent visit to Tumaco, Colombia, the resilience and determination of its residents and local authorities were evident, as they work toward improving quality of life. Despite these efforts, Tumaco continues to face challenges that other parts of the country have already overcome, and significant work remains to expand opportunities for its population. Territorial… [Read More]
How Quality Jobs Promote Economic Growth and Equity in the Dominican Republic
Every October 17, the world observes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a moment to reflect on progress and ongoing challenges in reducing inequality. In the Dominican Republic, this day highlights the country’s notable achievements in poverty reduction, driven by sustained economic growth and inclusive policies. The World Bank’s new representative in the… [Read More]
How Skills Training Is Transforming Careers for Young People Across Africa
From a young age, Leah Francis Basu was captivated by aircraft and the principles of flight, a curiosity that eventually led her to pursue a career in aviation. She enrolled at the National Institute of Transport (NIT) in Tanzania to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, benefiting from a scholarship under the World Bank-funded East Africa Skills… [Read More]
Food Assistance in Syria Strengthened Through OPEC Fund and WFP Partnership
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) have signed a US$500,000 grant agreement to support emergency food assistance in Syria. This funding will enable WFP to scale up its operations and provide monthly support to 1.6 million people across the country. Vulnerable families will receive electronic… [Read More]
$3 Billion ADB–World Bank Partnership to Strengthen Development Financing in Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $3 billion sovereign exposure exchange agreement (EEA) with the World Bank to boost its lending capacity for developing member countries across Asia and the Pacific. This marks ADB’s first such agreement with the World Bank and its sixth with multilateral development banks (MDBs) since 2020, raising the… [Read More]
Transforming rural livelihoods: IFAD pledges support for 70 million farmers through AgriConnect
Rome/Washington, 14 October 2025 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has pledged to reach at least 70 million small-scale farmers and transform their lives by 2030 through increased incomes, improved productive capacity, and enhanced market access. This commitment was made at the launch of the World Bank’s AgriConnect initiative during the Bank’s Annual… [Read More]
Expanding Access: IFC and Bank of Bhutan Support Micro and Small Enterprises Nationwide
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a US$20 million investment in Bank of Bhutan (BoB), the country’s oldest and largest bank, marking a significant milestone for Bhutan’s financial sector. This five-year fixed-rate financing, supported by the International Development Association’s Private Sector Window, will enable BoB to expand lending to micro and… [Read More]
Historic Milestone: Angola Launches Cervical Cancer Vaccination Program
Lélia Bartolomeu, aged 12, was deeply influenced by her grandmother’s battle with cervical cancer, which inspired her commitment to promoting change. Each year in Africa, over 117,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 76,000 die from the disease. Despite being highly preventable and treatable when detected early, limited access to prevention, screening,… [Read More]
New ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative Launched by ADB and World Bank Group
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank Group, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have launched a new financing initiative to support tPower Grid (APG), a reghe ASEAN ional effort to connect electricity networks and enhance energy cooperation across Southeast Asia by 2045. The initiative was announced during the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on… [Read More]
World Bank’s Livable Planet Fund Receives €19.5 Million Commitment from Spain
Spain has committed €19.5 million to the World Bank’s Livable Planet Fund (LPF) as part of a broader support package for sustainable development and debt relief. This funding aims to scale up cross-border projects in energy, water, and nature protection, reinforcing Spain’s leadership in tackling global challenges. The LPF, housed within the World Bank Group,… [Read More]
Smarter Irrigation Boosts Productivity and Sustainability for Nigerian Farmers
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, employing over a third of the population, but unpredictable weather and climate change make farming a challenging and uncertain livelihood. To address these challenges, the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project has expanded and modernized irrigation across 43,400 hectares, enabling farmers to produce enough food to feed… [Read More]
World Bank Receives Strategic Contributions from Singapore and New Zealand
Singapore and New Zealand have announced significant contributions to innovative World Bank financial instruments designed to expand the Bank’s lending capacity and address global development challenges. Singapore pledged $20 million to the Bank’s hybrid capital instrument and will redirect interest payments from this instrument to the Bank’s net income. Leveraged effectively, Singapore’s contribution could provide… [Read More]
Empowering Rural Youth and Women in Nepal through Skills Development
Over 111,000 beneficiaries in Nepal have been trained in market-relevant short-term vocational skills through five rounds of project-supported programs, with 85 percent of trainees being women or youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 77 percent of participants secured wage employment or self-employment within six months of completing training, earning between Rs 10,000–35,000 per month—well above the… [Read More]
Right to Work Initiative in Ethiopia Paves the Way for Economic and Social Transformation
Ethiopia has introduced groundbreaking legislation granting refugees and asylum seekers the right to work for the first time in the country’s history, a milestone achieved through the 2019 Refugee Proclamation. This historic law allows refugees to engage in wage employment, self-employment, and business ownership, significantly expanding their economic opportunities. Since its implementation, over 24,000 refugees… [Read More]
UN Estimates $70 Billion Required to Rebuild Gaza After Conflict
The Gaza Strip, just 41 kilometres long and up to five kilometres wide, has faced widespread devastation from Israeli bombardments, leaving few areas untouched. According to Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Special Representative for the Palestinians, about 84 percent of Gaza has been destroyed, with some parts of Gaza City experiencing up to 92 percent damage. The… [Read More]
Boosting African Investments: AfDB Deepens Collaboration with Saudi Financial Institutions
The African Development Bank Group and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen their partnership to accelerate investments across Africa’s key growth sectors, following high-level discussions in Washington. Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah met with Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) Chief Executive Saad Alkhalb and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Chief… [Read More]
São Tomé and Príncipe Secures €72 Million to Drive Economic Growth and Diversification
The African Development Bank Group and the government of São Tomé and Príncipe have intensified efforts to strengthen the Bank’s €72 million portfolio in the country, aiming to accelerate economic diversification. The initiative was highlighted during a recent Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) workshop, where Minister of State for the Economy and Finance Gareth Guadalupe… [Read More]
Top 5 Ways to Fund Disaster Resilience and Build a Safer Future
Disasters are becoming increasingly frequent, intense, and costly, with the poorest countries suffering the greatest losses. Despite the growing threat, resilience—the ability of communities and economies to anticipate, withstand, and recover from disasters—remains severely underfunded. Investing in resilience is essential to protect lives, economies, and development progress, yet global funding continues to prioritize recovery over… [Read More]
Building Climate Resilience in Central America and the Dominican Republic: Funding Progress and Challenges
Central America and the Dominican Republic are regions blessed with immense natural, social, and economic wealth, yet they remain among the most disaster-prone areas in the world. Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and storms have caused widespread devastation, affecting millions of lives and causing significant economic losses. Beyond these large-scale disasters, countless smaller emergencies impact vulnerable… [Read More]
World Bank Microloans in Cambodia Under Scrutiny Amid Rising Debt Traps
Cambodia has the highest microcredit debt per capita in the world, with debts concentrated among people living in poverty who rely on loans for small businesses or emergency expenses. In 2024, around 3.8 million households held more than 3 million microloans, totaling $18 billion. A recent Human Rights Watch report highlights how Cambodian microfinance institutions,… [Read More]
