Strong economic growth in the East Asia and Pacific region has been accompanied by increasing fossil fuel consumption and rising greenhouse gas emissions, with the region now responsible for over a third of global emissions. To sustain growth, reduce poverty, and meet nationally determined climate commitments, decarbonizing the power sector is essential. The World Bank… [Read More]
World Bank
Unlocking Timor-Leste’s Economic Potential Through Land Reform, Says World Bank
Timor-Leste’s economy grew by 4.1 percent in 2024, marking its fastest pace in years. While growth has continued into 2025, sustaining this momentum and ensuring long-term prosperity will require reforms to strengthen land governance, reduce dependence on Petroleum Fund withdrawals, broaden domestic revenues, and enhance the efficiency of public spending. The September 2025 edition of… [Read More]
Enhancing Revenue Collection and Public Spending Efficiency to Strengthen Uganda’s Economy
Uganda’s economy continues to demonstrate strong performance, with real GDP accelerating from 6.1% to 6.8% between July 2024 and March 2025, according to the World Bank’s 25th Uganda Economic Update: Increasing Uganda’s Fiscal Space through Improved Revenue Mobilization and Enhanced Efficiency of Spending and Service Delivery. Growth was primarily driven by the supply side, particularly… [Read More]
Uganda Can Accelerate Economic Growth Through Improved Fiscal Management and Job Creation
Uganda’s economic growth remained strong, with real GDP rising from 6.1% to 6.8% between July 2024 and March 2025, driven largely by agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and household and government consumption, while the services sector experienced a slowdown. Inflation remained moderate at 3.5% in FY2024/2025, below the central bank’s 5% target, supported by stable food supply,… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Costa Rica in Strengthening Public Finances and Employment Opportunities
The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved a US$300 million loan to support Costa Rica in improving fiscal management and promoting sustainable economic activities that generate quality jobs, particularly in rural and coastal areas. The initiative aims to modernize fiscal and environmental policies to enhance service delivery in key sectors such as health, education, and… [Read More]
Rwanda Receives Enhanced World Bank Support to Tackle Natural Disaster Risks
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Financing (DPF) with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO) for Rwanda, aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to disasters, protecting both lives and livelihoods. This initiative comes as Rwanda faces increasing vulnerability to… [Read More]
Driving Clean Transport: Rwanda Invests in Energy Infrastructure for E-Mobility
Rwanda’s ambitious plan to electrify 20 percent of its bus fleet by 2030 will require significant investment in energy infrastructure, clear policy frameworks, and innovative financing, according to a new World Bank report. The study, Exploring Enabling Energy Frameworks for Electric Mobility in Rwanda, evaluates the readiness of the power sector to support the transition,… [Read More]
Central Viet Nam to Gain Flood Resilience and Better Connectivity with World Bank Support
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new project designed to strengthen flood protection and transport connectivity in Da Nang City and Gia Lai Province in central Viet Nam. The initiative will benefit more than 1.2 million people by enhancing flood safety, ensuring reliable evacuation routes, and improving consistent access to markets… [Read More]
New Africa Water Center Launched in West Africa to Tackle Drought Challenges
A two-day High-Level Forum on Defying Drought (D2) in West Africa concluded in Ouagadougou with strong commitments to tackle the growing challenges of drought in the region against the backdrop of climate change and population growth. Senior policymakers from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, alongside experts from Morocco, Brazil, and various development… [Read More]
Guatemala Receives World Bank Support to Strengthen Climate and Disaster Resilience
The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved a project to strengthen Guatemala’s resilience to natural hazards and extreme climate events. The initiative aims to enhance institutional capacity to manage risks and protect vulnerable groups, including women heads of household, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and residents of informal settlements. By targeting areas with high exposure… [Read More]
New World Bank Initiative Aims to Bring Safe Water and Sanitation to Millions in Sierra Leone
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project, supported by a $40 million International Development Association (IDA) grant targeting the Western Area. This initiative marks the first phase of a Multiphase Programmatic Approach, totaling $180 million over the next decade, aimed at improving institutional… [Read More]
How the World Bank Uses Blockchain to Enhance Transparency and Accountability
FundsChain is a blockchain-based platform developed by the World Bank to enhance traceability, accountability, and efficiency in tracking the use of project funds. The platform offers tamper-proof digital records, end-to-end tracking of transactions, and immediate access for project partners, streamlining financial management and operations across diverse systems that are often non-standardized and disconnected. By using… [Read More]
HSTRF: Strengthening Health Systems for Resilience and Transformation
Investments in health are a major driver of economic growth and job creation. By enhancing human capital and supporting productive, resilient populations, health services fuel economies and create millions of jobs, laying the foundation for stronger, more prosperous societies. The World Bank Group has set an ambitious goal to expand health services to 1.5 billion… [Read More]
AfDB Promotes Stronger Economic Cooperation Between Africa and the Mediterranean
The African Development Bank reaffirmed its role as a key bridge between Africa and the world during the 10th Annual Conference on Development Economics, organized by the Italian Society of Development Economists and Fondazione Tor Vergata in Frascati, Italy, on September 15–16, 2025. The conference was held under the theme “Africa and the Mediterranean: Economic… [Read More]
How Organizations Are Supporting Mongolia After the Catastrophic Dzud
A dzud, locally known as the ‘white death,’ is an extreme weather event in Mongolia characterized by a harsh winter following a summer drought. During these events, temperatures can drop below -30 degrees Celsius, and heavy snowfall blankets the country. While traditionally occurring every few years, climate change has increased their frequency, with some regions… [Read More]
Government of Bangladesh Works to Curb Migrant Worker Recruitment Abuses
Bangladesh is working to align its labour migration governance with international standards, including ILO conventions and the 2019 General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment, to counter worker exploitation and sustain the country’s second largest foreign exchange source. The 2025 edition of Labour Migration in Asia: Fair Recruitment, Training, and Development notes progress in… [Read More]
Mozambique Study Reveals How Aspirations and Gender Norms Shape Girls and Women
The research note A Girl Can Dream: Analyzing Aspirations, Gender Norms, and Influencers Among Girls and Women in Mozambique explores the hopes and ambitions of adolescent girls and young women in Mozambique. It examines the barriers they face in pursuing their dreams, including social norms and relationships that shape their life choices, and provides insights… [Read More]
Central African Republic Focuses on National Wealth for Sustainable Growth
After two years of weak growth, the Central African Republic is showing signs of a moderate economic recovery, with growth estimated at 1.5% in 2024, according to a recent World Bank report. This improvement is driven by stable agricultural production, progress in agribusiness, and sustained performance in tertiary activities, supported by enhanced energy supply toward… [Read More]
New World Bank Initiative to Modernize Indonesia’s Power Grid and Expand Access
The World Bank has approved the Indonesia Electricity Network Transformation (I-ENET) Program, a US$500 million initiative aimed at modernizing the electricity distribution system in the Java, Madura, and Bali regions. The program will support Indonesia’s energy sector development by expanding renewable energy integration and accelerating the digital transformation of the electricity grid, aligning with the… [Read More]
Strengthening Guatemala’s Resilience to Disasters: World Bank Support
The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved a project aimed at enhancing Guatemala’s resilience to natural hazards and extreme climate events. The initiative focuses on strengthening institutional capacity to manage risks and protect vulnerable groups, including women heading households, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and communities living in informal settlements. The project targets areas highly… [Read More]
PEACE Project Overview: Essential Facts and Highlights
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the World Bank has collaborated with international partners to provide fast, targeted, and predictable financial support to help the Ukrainian government sustain essential public services for nearly 16 million citizens. The Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) Project funds salaries for civilian government employees, teachers, health… [Read More]
Revolutionizing NCD Care: How Primary Health Care Can Boost Prevention and Treatment – PAHO
At a high-level side event during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) joined health ministers, global financial institutions, and strategic partners to advocate for expanding primary health care (PHC) as the foundation for addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which remain the leading cause of death globally. Co-hosted by the Governments… [Read More]
UK Approves Direct Funding to Africa CDC After Successful Due Diligence Review
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reached a historic milestone with the United Kingdom formally approving direct funding following nearly a year-long Due Diligence Assessment. This approval signals renewed confidence in Africa CDC’s strengthened fiduciary and governance systems and marks a new era of direct collaboration between the UK and… [Read More]
