Tackling the Pressing Challenge of Defying Drought in West Africa – An Africa Water Center is Established to Strengthen Capacity in the Water Sector

Posted on by

OUAGADOUGOU, September 30, 2025 – A two-day High-Level Forum on Defying Drought (D2) in West Africa concluded today in Ouagadougou with a strong commitment to address the pressing challenges of drought in the region, amid the broader context of climate change and population growth. Senior policymakers from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, joined by technical experts from Morocco and Brazil, as well as regional and international institutions and development partners, came together to advance coordinated and practical solutions to reduce drought-related losses and build climate resilience across the Sahel. Technical sessions showcased regional and global best practices and facilitated the co-design of a roadmap outlining short-, medium-, and long-term policy actions to strengthen drought resilience across West Africa.

Continue reading →

The World Bank and Blockchain: A New Era of Transparency

Posted on by

Story Highlights

  • FundsChain, a blockchain-based platform, enables the World Bank to improve traceability, accountability, and streamline operations when tracking the use of funds.
  • Key features include tamper-proof digital records, end-to-end tracking of project funds, granting project partners immediate access to transaction records, and the use of digitization to enhance financial management practices.
  • The solution has been successfully tested in 13 projects across 10 countries, earned industry recognition and by June 2026, it is expected to cover approximately 250 projects in developing countries.
Continue reading →

Türkiye’s Energy-Efficient Buildings Bring Savings, Security, Better Lives

Posted on by

Story Highlights

Pallets of drywall, insulation, and other materials sitting outside a building construction site
Pallets of drywall, insulation, and other materials outside a construction site in Türkiye World Bank
  • With a growing economy and rising energy demand, Türkiye has been taking bold steps to enhance energy efficiency and reduce reliance on imports.
  • Energy efficiency measures in buildings—such as better insulation, efficient heating and cooling technologies, and LED lighting, combined with solar panels to generate clean energy—are being implemented in public hospitals, schools, and government offices.
  • With World Bank support, Türkiye is aiming to reduce energy consumption in public buildings as part of efforts to achieve energy security and cut harmful emissions.
Continue reading →

Why bridging Africa’s skills gap is crucial for growth

Posted on by

Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic promise is clear. It has the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population; by 2050 a quarter of the world’s working-age population will be living in Africa, with vast natural resources, and expanding regional markets. Yet these strengths are undermined by a persistent weakness: the region’s skills gap. 

Continue reading →

Digital technology is driving the future of jobs

Posted on by

A farmer in Kenya uses mobile apps to get real-time harvesting tips, check market prices, and connect directly with buyers and lenders. A woman in Indonesia takes meal orders and arranges deliveries through social media. A small innkeeper in Jamaica lists rooms on booking platforms and manages reservations online. A street vendor in Dakar sells handmade jewelry across Africa using just her smartphone. And in Manila, a university student teaches math to high schoolers in remote areas via an online e-learning platform. 

Continue reading →

World Bank Group Successfully Closes Inaugural Securitization Transaction, Marking Pivotal Step in Private Sector Mobilization Effort

Posted on by

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 19, 2025—The World Bank Group, through its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation, has closed its inaugural securitization transaction; successfully launching a new model to attract institutional private capital into emerging markets. This transaction marks the first tangible step in a larger effort to build an originate-to-distribute model for emerging market investments.

Continue reading →