World Bank and IFC identified as key funders of projects that endanger human rights defenders.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Gender
Background
Sexual orientation & gender identity – considering risk mitigation within World Bank programming
This Civil Society Policy Forum Session was co-sponsored by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce,…
Finance
News
IMF and World Bank complicit in “climate debt trap” following Mozambique cyclones
International community fails to deliver on 'Loss & Damage' while poorest countries become further indebted.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank’s toxic Medupi loan leaves South Africans in the dark
Bank’s $3.75 billion loan in 2010 has failed to deliver reliable energy to South African users, despite eye-watering cost overruns.
Finance
Background
Taxing to Develop: International Taxation Challenges for Africa
Notes from the IMF and World Bank 2019 Spring Meetings official session on 14 April on international taxation challenges in Africa.
Finance
Background
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Shifting the IFI Narrative to Progressive Gender-just Taxation
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 12 April on the changing international tax landscape from a feminist perspective and challenging IFIs’ role in shaping it at the World Bank and IMF's 2019 Spring Meetings.
Land
Analysis
The highest bidder takes it all: The World Bank's new scheme to privatise land in the Global South
World Bank Enabling the Business of Agriculture rankings prescribe land privatisation at the expense of family farmers, pastoralists, and Indigenous Peoples.
Finance
Analysis
Debt and gender equality: How debt-servicing conditions harm women in Africa
As debt crises across the African continent continue to soar, concerns are raised about the gendered impact of debt-servicing conditions imposed by international financial institutions.
Social services
News
Lagos water rights summit rejects World Bank privatisation
World Bank water privatisation push in Africa criticised by civil society that are calling for a rights-based approach.
Gender
Analysis
The IMF and Gender Equality: Operationalising Change
Latest IMF guidance on gender issues raises more questions than answers as it opens the door to impact assessments and alternative macro policies.
Environment
Analysis
World Bank's investment in Seven Energy in Nigeria once again calls Bank's due diligence into question
World Bank's due diligence processes highly suspect as it invests a quarter of a billion dollars in Nigerian Seven Energy, where several individuals associated with the company’s flagship contract are now either on the run or charged with money laundering.
Knowledge
News
Doing Business 2019: World Bank’s tunnel vision obscures calls for reform
The Doing Business Report 2019 criticised by civil society over its promotion of deregulation and low business tax.
Issue Overview
Landmark report finds attacks on human rights defenders in name of ‘development’ on the rise
- World Bank and IFC identified as key funders of problematic projects
- CSOs call for human rights to be placed at centre of development projects
Landmark report finds attacks on human rights defenders in name of ‘development’ on the rise
- World Bank and IFC identified as key funders of problematic projects
- CSOs call for human rights to be placed at centre of development projects
Featured briefings
30 July 2019
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2019
4 April 2019
The Bretton Woods Observer: World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings 2019
4 April 2019
The highest bidder takes it all: The World Bank's new scheme to privatise land in the Global South
World Bank Enabling the Business of Agriculture rankings prescribe land privatisation at the expense of family farmers, pastoralists, and Indigenous Peoples.