Whenever the share of industry in the economy starts waning, industrial expansion often becomes a component of the growth policies. This blog analyzes if and how targeting labor market barriers…

Rishabh Sinha |

Energy subsidies are proliferating as governments try to shield consumers from rising and volatile energy prices — but these come with significant risks.

Defne Gencer, Elcin Akcura |

The comprehensive vision of an inclusive waterfront requires improving existing public infrastructure, addressing the lack of public access in many segments, and integrating marine ecosystems into…

Horacio Cristian Terraza, Carina Lakovits, Haris Sanahuja, Alessandra Treuherz |

If you paid some of the highest electricity tariffs in the world, you would expect some of the most reliable electricity services. Unfortunately, this logic does not hold in West Africa, where…

Mustafa Zakir Hussain |

From public transit quality to land use patterns, there are many factors that may impact people's ability to access essential services like healthcare or education. A new World Bank study…

Aiga Stokenberga, Karla Dominguez Gonzalez |

As the region recovers from the economic downturn, it is important that governments make their recovery 'green'.

Lia Sieghart, Martin Heger |

Have you ever invited representatives from different sectors to imagine their dream city? There is an urban planning exercise that is just for that, and it is showcased by the experience of the…

Haris Sanahuja, Alessandra Treuherz |

The death toll from Cyclone Idai that ripped into Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi in March 2019 is now above 1, 000, with damages estimated at $2 billion. In 2018, more than 10, 000 people lost…

Abhas Jha |

A boy at work in a maize field, Ethiopia.  Photo credit: C. Robinson/CIMMYT How do young rural Africans engage in the rural economy? How important is farming relative to non-farm activities and…

Jerome Bossuet |

Cyclone Idai is one of the most devastating storms to ever hit Africa, causing catastrophic damage in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.

Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, Michel Matera |