NEW YORK, September 24, 2025—Seventeen African governments today committed to reforms and actionable plans to expand electricity access as part of Mission 300—an ambitious partnership led by the World Bank Group and African Development Bank Group that aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
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Port Performance Varies Across the Globe Amid Continuing Shocks
Overall performance slides, but some developing country ports improved between 2020-2024
Washington, D.C., September 22, 2025 — Port performance across the world declined between 2020 and 2024 due to the Red Sea Crisis, challenges at the Panama Canal, and pandemic-related shocks, according to a new report released today. However, efficiency gains varied by region and income level.
Continue readingProtect to prosper: How nature-based tourism drives jobs and growth
That selfie you took on an idyllic white sand beach, in a sprawling city park, or atop a mountain range at sunset? It’s more than just a photo of you. It reflects nature’s magnetic pull on people across the world and its role in fueling global tourism.
Continue readingTackling the Pressing Challenge of Defying Drought in West Africa – An Africa Water Center is Established to Strengthen Capacity in the Water Sector
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 readingThe World Bank and Blockchain: A New Era of Transparency
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.
Türkiye’s Energy-Efficient Buildings Bring Savings, Security, Better Lives
Story Highlights
- 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.
Why bridging Africa’s skills gap is crucial for growth
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 readingEmbracing and Shaping Change: Human Development for a Middle East and North Africa in Transition
“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”
Digital technology is driving the future of jobs
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 readingAccelerating Investment: Challenges and Policies
Developing economies have an acute need for higher investment. Investment is the engine that builds productive capacity, modernizes infrastructure, sets the stage for job growth, and advances countries toward development and climate goals. Yet as development needs have expanded, investment growth has been in a deep slump—a call to action for policy makers, investors, and development practitioners.
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Netherlands for the World Bank 
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