September 2015 issue of NL4WorldBank newsletter published

This morning the fifth edition of the NL4WorldBank email campaignnewsletter was published. Those subscribed to the newsletter automatically received it in their inbox. If you did not receive the newsletter, you will find it here.

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A (welcome) word from Ambassador-designate Schuwer

I am honored to present you with the fifth schuwer-henneedition of the NL for World Bank newsletter on my first day as the newly appointed ambassador to the United States. As Ambassador-designate, I am keenly aware that the Embassy’s resort includes not only the 50 American states, but also the largest development bank in the world: the World Bank Group.

At first glimpse, the contrast between the work of the embassy’s World Bank team and the staff focused on the United States could hardly be starker, perhaps only exceeded by the contrast of the World Bank being a mere two blocks away from the White House. Continue reading

Cambodian Agriculture in Transition: Opportunities and Risks

Article originally posted on the World Bank website on August 19, 2015.

Highlights:

  • Four million people were lifted out of poverty due to positive developments in the Cambodian agriculture sector over the last decade.
  • Cambodian agriculture saw high growth rates but needs to find new pathways to drive future growth as global food prices decline and farmland diminishes.
  • The challenge is to move away from increasing production through land expansion to being more productive and competitive.

The last decade was golden for cambodia-riceCambodian agriculture. The annual agricultural sector growth of 5.3% between 2004 and 2012 was one of the highest in the world, according to a new World Bank report, Cambodian Agriculture in Transition: Opportunities and Risks , prepared with the support of the Australian government.

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WB Event – Should We Just Give People Cash?

Date: September 29, 2015

Over the past decade or so, we have witnessed an world money smallimpressive growth in the number, volume, and types of social protection programs in developing countries. This successful growth has been accompanied by a shift in focus from the programs’ traditional role of mitigating risk to changing the earnings trajectory of poor households to promote their escape from poverty. Continue reading

IFC & Dutch firm help Kenyan farming co-operatives get access to financing

Article originally published by Business Daily Africa on August 23, 2015.

A rating agency has come up with a formula that Printranks agriculture-focused co-operative societies and small-scale businesses in a move that will make it easier for them to access loans and social investor funds.

SCOPEInsight, the company supported by the Embassy of Netherlands and partnering with International Finance Corporation (IFC), has developed a rating system that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of co-operative societies. This will prepare them to get financial support. Continue reading

“With electricity comes life” – lighting up Nairobi’s slums

The World Bank Group, through two Dutch-funded Trust Funds, is helping slums in Kenya getting connected to safe, reliable and affordable electricity.

With electricity, children can study at night, shops can operate into the evening, and hospitals can operate consistently. Through a community based approach, Kenya Power has gone from 5,000 customers in December 2014 to more than 150,000 customers in May 2015, just half a year later.

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IFC investment in Dutch Africa Improved Foods (Holding) (AIFH) in Rwanda

On July 7, 2015, the IFC and the AIFH have AIFHsigned an agreement for a $21.5 million loan and $4.5 million equity investment by IFC in AIFH. This loan comes with support from the Dutch-funded Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP), and is intended for the construction and operation of a 45,000 tons per year processing plant in Rwanda for fortified cereals to treat child malnutrition. Continue reading

eConsultant2: Evaluation of IFC Private Sector Devt Program in South Sudan

The final project evaluation will provide an International_Finance_Corporation_Logoassessment of the design and delivery of the South Sudan PSD Program, assessing whether the Program achieved intended results and impacts. The evaluation will also provide learnings from experience to improve future design of PSD programs in conflict and fragile states like South Sudan. The evaluation will be conducted in line with the OECD Development Assistance Committees principles of evaluation. This tender is for an individual consultant, not a firm. Continue reading

eConsultant2: Ghana – Baseline Data Collection for Community Performance Based Financing (CPBF) Impact Evaluation

The EOI is for a baseline data collection (currently maternal-and-child-healthcare-shofco-dec18-4489planned for Nov. and Dec. 2015) for the CPBF IE, as part of a WB-supported Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Project.

The survey includes 8 districts in 4 regions: Northern: North Gonja, West Gonja; Upper East: Bawku West, Talensi; Upper West: Lawra, Nandom; Volta: Agortime Ziope, Kadjebi Continue reading

IFC is hiring – Young Professionals Program

This article was originally posted on the IFC website.

We are looking for current International_Finance_Corporation_Logostudents or recent graduates of MBA or Master’s degree programs with strong financial skills, professional achievement, leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to development.

Program Features and Career Path

The three year program is structured to provide participants with a solid understanding of IFC’s business and strategy, a global network, and regional experience in one of IFC’s industry groups (Financial Institutions Group; Infrastructure and Natural Resources; Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services; and TMT, Venture Capital & Funds). Following a series of interviews  successful applicants receive offers directly from industry departments for positions in one of IFC’s offices, regional hubs, or at headquarters.

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