Banking on Women Who Trade Across Borders

“Banking on Women Who Trade Across Borders” underscores the critical need for genderrepor-cover-banking-on-women-who-trade-across-borders equality in international trade and trade finance. Despite the documented positive impacts of women-owned businesses on economic growth and poverty reduction, a significant gap remains in understanding how international trade intersects with female participation, particularly in accessing trade finance. Drawing from interviews across Africa and Latin America, the report explores the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and proposes solutions.

 

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Despite High Potential, 75 Vulnerable Economies Face ‘Historic Reversal’

In Half of IDA Countries, Income Gap with Wealthiest Economies is Widening

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2024Despite their high potential to advance global prosperity, one-half of the world’s 75 most vulnerable countries are facing a widening income gap with the wealthiest economies for the first time in this century, a new World Bank report has found. Taking full advantage of their younger populations, their rich natural resources, and their abundant solar-energy potential can help them overcome the setback.

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Ingredients for Accelerating Universal Electricity Access: Lessons from Rwanda’s Inspirational Approach

In just 15 years, Rwanda has increased its electricity access to 75% from 6% in 2009. This took government ownership, leadership, and commitment, partnership with the private sector, funding from development partners, and dedicated structure and institutional strengthening.

The goal of lighting up every household is not a dream, but an achievable reality. In a remarkable 15-year journey, Rwanda increased access to electricity to households from 6% in 2009 to 75% as of March 2024. The country has connected 100% of health centers and administrative facilities at the sector level and 84% of schools and most productive users (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises). This electrification expansion was one of the fastest in the world between 2010 and 2020, ranking 11th globally and 3rd in Africa.

Government ownership, leadership, and commitment to universal electrification. Since 2008, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) has been intentional in engraining electrification targets in its development strategies. The Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 1 (EDPRS1 2008-2012) set out targets for electricity connections from 70,000 to 200,000 households, and for institutions providing social and administrative services from 50% to 80%. Likewise, both the EDPRS2 (2013-2018), and the National Strategy for Transformation 1 (2017-2024) set a universal electrification target by 2024.

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Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System

Download the report here recipe-cover-publication-page

Recipe for a Livable Planet is the first comprehensive global roadmap for mitigating the agrifood system’s contributions to climate change. It shows how the agriculture system that produces the world’s food can cut greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to feed the world.

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The world cannot afford to ignore the poorest countries

They are home to a quarter of humanity—1.9 billion people. They possess prized naturalida-poverty-1440x500_1140x500 resources, including one-fifth of the world’s copper and gold reserves, as well as many of the rare metals essential for the transition to clean energy. Their working-age populations are set to expand for the next five decades amid demographic decline nearly everywhere else. Yet a historic reversal is underway among the world’s 75 countries eligible for grants and low-interest loans from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA).

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The Great Reversal: Prospects, Risks, and Policies in International Development Association Countries

The 75 economies eligible for low-interest loans and grants from the World Bank’sIDA-web-cover-780x439 International Development Association (IDA) had made notable progress against some important development objectives over the first two decades of this century. Despite this, on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant development gaps persisted, income convergence with advanced economies was slowing, and some vulnerabilities were rising.

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INVITATION FINANCE FORUM – WORLD HYDROGEN SUMMIT 2024

MONDAY MAY 13th at 14:00-17:00 CEST in Ahoy Rotterdam

IN-PERSON EVENT

Together with the World Bank and Invest International, the Government of the Netherlands is hosting a Finance Forum during the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 to address the challenges and solutions in the development and financing of Green Hydrogen projects in emerging markets and developing countries.

Are you an entrepreneur wanting to learn more about international financing for green hydrogen initiatives? At the upcoming Finance Forum you’ll learn what it takes to make these projects possible.

The Finance Forum will be opened by Michel Heijdra, Vice Minister for Climate and Energy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands. The Forum offers two panel sessions with prominent figures within the industry to offer perspectives on the latest advancements and prerequisites necessary to secure funding for Green Hydrogen projects in emerging markets and developing countries. A new 10 GW lighthouse initiative will be presented by the World Bank. At the end of the forum there will be networking opportunities with leading global actors in the field at the NL Pavilion.

With panel speakers of: Port of Rotterdam, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Masdar, ING Bank, Climate Fund Managers, African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, H2 Global Foundation and the European Commission.

If you are interested in attending this forum, please register free of charge through the following link: Registration | Finance Day – World Bank (momice.events). Spaces are limited, as such it is highly recommended to register as soon as possible.

More details surrounding the event and the program can be found on the website: Home | Finance Day – World Bank (momice.events).

Kindly note that in order to visit the finance forum at the World Hydrogen Summit, you must also obtain a free Exhibition Visitors pass. This can be done via the official website of the WHS via Registration – World Hydrogen Summit 2024 (world-hydrogen-summit.com).

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Vivian Vriends: tio@rvo.nl.

We look forward to your participation.