Private sector-led development can act as a complimentary force supporting long-term, sustainable economic growth. Private sector development (PSD) can not only help reverse the economic impact of…

Tania Ghossein, Ahmed Nauraiz Rana |

The Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA)’s origin story has its roots in the Nile Basin. On February 22nd (Nile Day), to celebrate the Nile, the world’s longest river which…

Ai-Ju Huang, Shyam KC |

Adolescent girls in Nigeria face disproportionate obstacles in their lives and, in many cases, see their access to education interrupted. Attacks on schools, mass abductions of students, and…

Aisha Garba, Mansir Nasir |

The Lake Chad region is a highly heterogenous and socioeconomically integrated area in West-Central Africa that is experiencing a violent security crisis linked to Boko Haram and affiliated groups…

Catherine Defontaine |

West and Central Africa faces compounding challenges including increased climate change impacts, such as prolonged drought and unpredictable rainy seasons causing flooding in the Sahel; high…

Jorge Trevino, Thierry Davy |

There is growing recognition that natural resource exploitation and environmental pressures can fuel violent conflict. Compounding this threat, situations of conflict and environmental stress also…

Agathe Christien, Phoebe Spencer |

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the largest global shocks in recent history, but it did not increase extreme poverty in Africa as it was feared it would. The reason may be a combination of things…

Kibrom A. Abay, Nishant Yonzan, Sikandra Kurdi, Kibrom Tafere |

This blog is a biweekly feature highlighting recent working papers from around the World Bank Group. It introduces five papers published in August 2022 on various topics, including COVID-19…

Marcelo Buitron, Policy Research Working Paper team |

A new World Bank Group paper on conflict-induced internal displacement outlines several recommendations for the institution to further step up its support to internally displaced populations and…

Stefan Emblad, Xavier Devictor, Caroline Bahnson |

For the world’s poorest people, COVID-19 has brought an unparalleled social and economic shock. And for those living in countries affected by fragility and conflict, the challenge is compounded.…

Samuel Munzele Maimbo, Stefan Emblad |