While South Sudan achieved formal independence in early July, it was not until late July that full agreement was reached that left South Sudan with no debt, apportioning all existing debts, including significant arrears to the IMF and World Bank, to Sudan alone.
Debt
Social services
Commentary
IFC helping Western multinationals exploit Ghana's water crisis
The water supply crisis in Ghana is being exploited by all manner of pro-market corporate bodies ranging from the World Bank to Coca-Cola. While the World Bank is licking its wounds from failed private water management initiatives, such as the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited management contract in Ghana, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), its private sector arm, is investing in small-scale private water ventures via WaterHeath International (WHI).
Environment
News
Donor governments join critical chorus on the CIFs
The Bank-housed Climate Investments Funds (CIFs) are facing increasing criticism from donor governments and civil society groups, while concerns that the Bank's role in the new Green Climate Fund (GCF) constitutes a conflict of interest continue.
Environment
Analysis
A faulty model?
This paper critically assesses the appropriateness of the Bank-housed Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) as a model for the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It takes proposals and recommendations by civil society groups and uses them as benchmarks to analyse the CIFs. It finds that in terms of institutional arrangements the CIFs have achieved some notable progress, however, in operations and performance there are serious concerns.
Environment
Commentary
World Bank's Africa strategy remains rutted in comfort zone
A critical analysis of the World Bank's new strategy for Africa
Finance
News
Aid to Afghanistan, Malawi suspended on IMF decision
International donors including USAID and UK DFID have halted aid to Afghanistan following the IMF's suspension of funds in February.
Social services
News
Rehash of failed policies for Arab states?
As revolutionary movements sweep the Arab world, the World Bank and the IMF have taken a lead in international economic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa region. But critics have warned of the dangers of locking transitional governments into long-term loans with economic conditionalities that may perpetuate the flawed development model that contributed to the crisis in the first place.
Rights
News
IMF's European austerity drive goes on
The IMF programme in Portugal highlights the heavy conditionality attached to loans. Meanwhile, a big, and very public, fight is brewing over debt in Greece, where the IMF denies any problems.
Rights
Analysis
Debt and austerity - from the global South to Europe
In early May, more than 400 activists in Greece and campaigners and academics from across the world met in Athens to confront the current debt crisis of the European periphery and plan international solidarity and coordinated action against fiscal austerity imposed by governments.
Accountability
Background
Consultation on Program for Results (P4R)
Notes of meeting, Washington DC, April 16, 2011
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