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Live: Ajay Banga on the World Bank Group’s jobs agenda and global development
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Safeguarding Coasts, Driving Jobs: WACA+ to Protect 530,000 People and Catalyze 13,000 Blue Economy Jobs
Combining coastal protection with private‑sector–led growth to strengthen the blue economy value chains in Benin and Mauritania.
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2026 – The World Bank Group today approved a total of $240 million, including $207 million from the International Development Association (IDA) financing, $5 million from the PROBLUE trust fund, and $28 million in private capital, to launch the first phase of the West Africa Coastal Areas Blue Economy and Resilience Program (WACA+). The program will help Benin and Mauritania protect vulnerable coastlines from erosion and floods, strengthen blue‑economy value chains, and create thousands of new and better‑paid jobs for coastal communities.
Transforming Water in Agriculture for Food and Jobs
“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”
From pipes to people: How Indian cities reimagine modern water and sanitation
Reliable water and sanitation services are central to India’s ambition for Viksit Bharat 2047 and its vision for modern, livable cities. In recent years, government programs and city-level reforms have driven remarkable improvements—expanding networks, upgrading treatment capacity, and demonstrating that high-quality, customer-oriented services are achievable. Several cities now provide continuous water supply, have dramatically reduced losses, or have achieved impressive levels of wastewater reuse and solid-waste processing.
Continue readingWhy digital payments still stop at the small shop—and how to fix it
Over the past decade, countries have invested heavily in modern payment systems. Fast payment systems are now widely available, even in many low- and middle-income countries. In many emerging markets, most adults own a debit card, a wallet or transaction account. On paper, the digital rails are in place.
Continue readingThe binding constraint on AI in education is not technology. It’s organizational culture
When people talk about AI in education, they usually mean AI in classrooms: devices, chatbots, adaptive platforms. The conversation quickly stalls because many schools in low- and middle-income countries lack the infrastructure. So, AI becomes something for well-resourced systems, and everyone else waits.
Continue readingJobs in Africa
“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”
Building Futures: Unlocking Affordable Housing in Egypt
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The World Bank’s Inclusive Housing Finance Program has enabled more than 693,000 low-income households to access formal, affordable housing—strengthening housing security and expanding financial inclusion nationwide.
- The program has catalyzed private-sector participation, helping grow the mortgage market from US$132 million in 2014 to US$2.2 billion in 2026 and supporting an estimated 4 million jobs in construction.
- By prioritizing women beneficiaries and delivering green-certified, energy-efficient homes, the initiative is advancing gender equity, sustainability, and more inclusive urban development.
Pitching to the choir: How gender-sector bias affects investment decisions
Imagine you are chatting with an entrepreneur who is eager to grow their business — confident, well-prepared, numbers in hand. The idea is solid, the plan convincing. You think about product-market fit, weigh operational risks, and start forming an impression of the venture.
Now pause for a moment. Would your view of the business change if the person pitching it were a man — or a woman?
Continue readingNew Program to Equip 18 Million Youth and Enable Jobs in Eastern and Southern Africa
WASHINGTON, February 26, 2026 – Millions of young people across Eastern and Southern Africa stand to gain skills they need to thrive through a new regional program that is designed to support job creation at scale. By 2034, 18 million young people in the region are expected to receive better education and skills, unlocking opportunities in key economic sectors through the program that will also contribute to millions of new jobs.
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Netherlands for the World Bank 