Category Archives: WBG News & Reports

Why the World Bank’s venture capital arm is investing in Silicon Valley

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Article posted on devex. 26 May, 2016

It might seem off mission for investors who say they want to drive prosperity in 7R38yLAmxJ1aGXpk3ZbEQh08ROPnttoyPQQxmSZLaj5OhmpWDNPRN0W3iLuSAqBhdz4PjGBThqqzeVVrM97XQRxKKbeEGhugd5VpmIeKMyJbO9K5sEE3msIZhHfqdOJNl2pF370zdeveloping countries to support entrepreneurs based in the city with the most concentrated venture capital in the world.

Most of the more than $100 million the venture arm of the World Bank’s International Finance Corp. will invest this fiscal year will go to the emerging markets, including tech hubs such as Nairobi, Kenya — dubbed the “Silicon Savannah”. But recently the IFC has also invested in Silicon Valley companies such as the cloud-based software company Ayla, the satellite company Planet Labs and the online education company Coursera.

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Transformation in Bank Procurement underway

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Progress continues in the World Bank’s ongoing preparations to implembanknotes_640ent a new Procurement Framework in July 2016, an initiative aimed at modernizing procurement under Bank projects to better meet the needs of client countries.

Nearly a year after multiple rounds of detailed stakeholder consultation informed the Board’s approval of, the new Policy, work is ongoing to prepare for launch of the new Policy on July 1, 2016. It provides both borrowers and Bank staff with the tools to better serve the needs and aspirations of Clients and, thus, the mission of the Bank.

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TIPS

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The World Bank Group project cycle takes years, influencing the proces requires a lot of patience; below a number of helpful tips:

  • Build a large network including all relevant stakeholders; local government project authority, (local) World Bank staff and offices, local business, and the Dutch embassies.
  • Follow projects and follow-up with (local) World Bank Staff on a regular basis.
  • Be patient and approach from a problem solving perspective within the country of execution.
  • Maintain regular contact with local and federal government agencies discussing future projects.
  • Visit the World Bank Group HQ in Washington, D.C. with concrete deliverables.
  • When in Washington, D.C. be sure to be up to date on the recent developments concerning prourement, structure and general news.

 

Questions about doing business with the World Bank Group? Contact the World Bank Liaisons at the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, DC.

As Ebola Wanes, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and World Look to Curb Next Pandemic

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May 17th By Melanie Mayhew, World Bank Group

Every day for 27 years, in the early morning blackness that only fishermen know, John* and his crew dislodged their boat from Sierra Leone’s shore and paddled north toward Guinea, returning at sunset with nets flopping with fish.

Today John stands in a few inches of water in the port of Aberdeen, Sierra Leone, gazing at the colorful boats skirting the horizon, wishing he could return to the sea. It’s been a year since he captained a boat, a year since he fished.

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Innovation Centers Help Developing Countries Capture Climate Change Opportunities

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WASHINGTON, May 11, 2016—Climate change presents prodigious challenges to developing countries but also tremendous opportunities. A key part of the World Bank Group’s approach to the global climate change agenda lies in helping these countries cope with the challenges while exploiting the opportunities.

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Staying a Step Ahead of a Natural Disaster: Can Innovation and Technology Help?

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Last month a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador left over 600 people dead and almost ThinkHazard-thirty thousand injured, with economic damages projected at more than $3 billion. Unfortunately, events like these are becoming all too commonplace. Impacts from natural disasters are on the rise, posing a growing threat to economies and the lives of millions of people around the world.

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IFC: Fostering Development Through Private Equity

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Published in May

Private equity can be a critical source of financing in emerging markets—especially for innovative small and medium enterprises in places where debt financing is limited and capital markets are less developed.

Investors and funds that take stakes in these companies not only help them expand but also provide other benefits—such as creating jobs, generating taxes, and filling gaps in service.

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Unlocking Low-Cost, Large-Scale Solar Power

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Solar power has enormous potential to quickly and affordably meet the energy needs of emerging markets—including in sub-Saharan Africa, where two out of three people lack access to electricity and existing grids are under strain.scaling+solar+main+banner

But while large countries such as India, Mexico, and South Africa have benefited from surging investment in the renewable energy sector, many of their smaller neighbors remain off the radar of solar power developers and are struggling to obtain the electricity they need.

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Private Sector Development: Rabobank Foundation

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Rabobank Foundation and the World Bank team up to strengthen financial rabobank-blogcooperatives for agrifinance.

The World Bank and Rabobank Foundation are teaming up to strengthen financial cooperatives in rural areas to improve financial services for smallholder farmers and agricultural SMEs.

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Climate-Driven Water Scarcity

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Climate-Driven Water Scarcity Could Hit Economic Growth by Up to 6 Percent in Some Regions, Says World Bank

WASHINGTON, May, 3 2016 – Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, could cost watersome regions up to 6 percent of their GDP, spur migration, and spark conflict, according to a new World Bank report released today.*

High and Dry: Climate Change, Water and the Economy, says the combined effects of growing populations, rising incomes, and expanding cities will see demand for water rising exponentially, while supply becomes more erratic and uncertain.

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