When gas supplies are disrupted, countries immediately feel the consequences: power systems buckle, factories slow down, and businesses scale back operations, directly affecting people’s livelihoods. These pressures are most acute in countries where flaring is highest, and energy access is most fragile.
Continue readingWASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a new project to catalyze investment in low-carbon industrial commodities, clean fuels, and enabling infrastructure in industrial and energy value chains in the Northeast region of Brazil, paving the way for increased competitiveness and employment.
Continue readingWashington, D.C.: The Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group met today as part of the coordination group they established in early April to maximize their institutions’ response to the energy and economic impacts of the war in the Middle East. At the end of their meeting, they issued the following statement:
“As we noted earlier this month, the impact of the war is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular low-income countries. The shock has led to higher oil, gas and fertilizer prices, triggering concerns about food security and job losses as well. Some oil and gas producers in the Middle East have also seen a dramatic loss of export revenue.
The situation remains very uncertain, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is yet to normalize. Even after a resumption of regular shipping flows through the Strait, it will take time for global supplies of key commodities to move back towards their pre-conflict levels—and fuel and fertilizer prices may remain high for a prolonged period given the damage to infrastructure. Due to supply disruptions, shortages of key inputs are likely to have implications for energy, food, and other industries. The war has also forcibly displaced people, impacted jobs, and reduced travel and tourism, which may take time to reverse.
Today, we shared our latest assessments, ahead of the release this Tuesday, April 14, of the IEA’s monthly Oil Market Report and IMF’s World Economic Outlook. We also discussed the situations of the countries most affected by the shock as well as the responses by our institutions. Our teams are working closely, including at country level, to leverage our respective expertise and help countries through tailored policy advice and, in the case of the IMF and World Bank, financial support where needed.
We will continue to monitor closely and assess the impact of the war on energy markets, the global economy and individual countries, and to coordinate our response and support to our member countries—working with, and drawing on, other international organizations’ expertise as needed to lay the foundations for a resilient recovery that delivers stability, growth and jobs.”
“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”
“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”
With vast, untapped renewable resources, East Asia can accelerate its clean energy transition—boosting competitiveness, creating millions of jobs, and strengthening energy security. A new World Bank report charts how.
East Asia’s industrial rise has been powered by coal in recent decades – delivering rapid growth – but also making the region a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the economics and the imperatives have shifted. A new World Bank Group report, Green Horizon: East Asia’s Sustainable Energy Future, finds that the region’s enormous, but largely untapped, renewable energy potential can fuel the next wave of growth, secure affordable energy, and enhance competitiveness.
Continue readingWASHINGTON, January 8, 2026 – The World Bank today approved a $13.30 million concessional financing through the International Development Association (IDA) for Cabo Verde’s renewable Energy and Improved Utility Performance Project (REIUP). The operation is co-financed by a $1.2 million concessional loan and $0.41 million grant from the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF), as well as a $0.4 million reimbursable grant from the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF).
The financing will support Cabo Verde to accelerate its clean energy transition and achieve universal access to electricity.
Cabo Verde has made significant progress in energy access, achieving 98% coverage and bringing reliable electricity to nearly the entire population. The country has also advanced its energy transition efforts, aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2040, supported by ongoing sector reforms. Meeting the country’s targets will require further investment in clean power, improved grid stability, and continued reforms following the demerger of the vertically integrated utility ELECTRA. The approved financing supports these national priorities and is expected to leverage substantial private capital for large-scale renewable energy deployment.
“The scaling up of REIUP reinforces Cabo Verde’s ambition to become a leader in achieving universal access to electricity in Africa. By mobilizing private capital to accelerate the energy transition and strengthening the sector’s institutional foundations, the project will help ensure a sustainable, financially viable, and climate-resilient energy sector”, said Kwawu Mensan Gaba, World Bank Energy Global Practice Manager for Western and Central Africa.
The operation will:
“With this new operation, we are investing in a cleaner, more affordable energy future for Cabo Verde—one that reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, shields the economy from the volatility of global price shocks, and strengthens competitiveness. At the same time, it will drive job creation in the energy transition, with a strong focus on closing the gender gap in the sector.” saidIndira Campos, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Cabo Verde.
REIUP aligns with Cabo Verde’s Master Plan for the Power Sector and complements all other development partners’ efforts in the sector.
PRESS RELEASE NO: 2026/044/AFW
In Cabo Verde:Marco António Medina Silva,
+238 9511616
“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”
This report quantifies the extent to which energy efficiency measures can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel costs in global shipping. Drawing on a fleet-wide analysis across key vessel segments (bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers), it assesses the untapped potential of technical and operational efficiency measures through to 2050. Findings show that maximizing energy efficiency can cut global shipping’s GHG emissions by up to about 40% by 2030, exceeding current IMO interim targets, while simultaneously lowering the costs of the energy transition. Roughly half of these potential GHG savings by 2030 pay for themselves, offering savings of up to $220 billion annually in total costs as green fuel supply chains develop, and helping to build resiliency against fuel price volatility and rerouting shocks. The report highlights the role of short-term operational measures (such as forms of port call and speed optimization) and medium-term technical innovations (for example, wind-assisted propulsion) in achieving substantial efficiency gains. It identifies persistent economic, behavioral, and organizational barriers to uptake and illustrates them through deep dives on port call optimization and wind-assisted propulsion, showcasing innovative industry initiatives being applied to overcome these barriers. Finally, the report offers targeted recommendations for policymakers, industry, ports, and financiers to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency solutions at scale.
“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”
Energy efficiency is a transformative, low-cost solution that can fast-track access to affordable and secure energy and boost economic growth. Amid soaring power demand, driven in part by air conditioners, heavy industry, and, increasingly, data centers needed to power artificial intelligence, energy efficiency can help countries avoid overspending on new energy infrastructure, importing fuels, and taking on more debt for their energy sectors.
Netherlands for the World Bank 