A World Bank infrastructure strategy update, developed because of a G20 push for more infrastructure investment, reaffirms the Bank's commitment to large-scale projects and scaled up private finance through public-private partnerships (PPPs, see Update 77), despite questions about bloated costs and development impact.
Aid
Accountability
News
The World Bank and extractives: a rich seam of controversy
As World Bank projects fail to reduce corruption in the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), International Financial Corporation (IFC) investments in extractives are provoking complaints and protests around the world.
Accountability
News
Green light for revised PforR, but concerns remain
The World Bank board has approved the controversial new Program-for-Results (PforR) lending instrument, with some concessions to criticism.
IFI governance
News
DFID's multilateral funding questioned
The UK parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has questioned the government's rationale for increasing funds to multilateral agencies, such as the World Bank.
IFI governance
News
New World Bank corporate scorecard: adding value?
After discussions with the executive board and staff, but no public consultation, the Bank released a "corporate scorecard" in September, aiming to provide "a snapshot of the Bank's overall performance" to help "strategic dialogue between management and the board on progress made and areas that need attention."
Finance
Background
Real Aid
Notes of a panel discussion, Washington DC, 21 September 2011
Rights
Analysis
Navigating complex dilemmas
The World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security and Development is shifting the language of international policy on supporting peace and development in fragile and conflict-affected countries. Monica Stephen of International Alert examines how the World Bank's operations need to adjust to support peace and development.
Finance
News
Bank upgrade of Zambia fails to impress
The World Bank's reclassification of Zambia from low-income country to lower middle-income country has been hailed as an economic achievement by Zambia's president Rupiah Banda, but is less celebrated in other quarters.
Finance
News
UK announces priorities for World Bank
In August the UK released its priorities for reform of the World Bank.
Accountability
News
Programmed for Results?
In August, the Bank released a policy paper and draft operational policy for its controversial new Program For Results (P4R) lending instrument, aiming to rush through its approval by the end of the year, despite significant concerns.
Featured briefings
9 June 2025
New data reveal World Bank DPF ‘climate finance’ carries strong private sector bias, undermining a just transition
New BWP briefing finds the World Bank counted 70 per cent of energy-sector reforms in Development Policy Financing as having 'climate co-benefits' between 2018-2023 - but most of these promoted a private-led energy transition.
15 April 2025
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2025
2 April 2025