US has abstained from voting on an IFC investment in a forestry project in Mozambique, raising concerns about environmental and social impacts.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Social services
News
Nigeria water privatisation questioned
Civil society in Nigeria has criticised and called for disclosure of a water privatisation scheme in Lagos involving the World Bank.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank pitches mining to drive energy investment in Africa
A World Bank report calling for closer collaboration between mining and energy companies in Africa is criticised for underplaying risks and neglecting more efficient energy options for the poor.
Finance
Analysis
Eroding accountability? The World Bank’s lending mechanisms under review
The World Bank safeguards review leaves out key Bank lending mechanisms despite potential significant impacts, leading to questions around accountability.
Social services
News
Palliative treatment? IFIs follow up on Ebola
The World Bank and IMF have announced new facilities to support countries hit by public health disasters.
Rights
News
The World Bank admits serious flaws in resettlement policy
World Bank president has expressed concerns about internal findings of the Bank’s breach of its resettlement safeguards, raising further doubt about it's proposed draft safeguard framework.
Social services
Commentary
How will the Global Financing Facility deliver for sexual and reproductive health and rights?
The Global Financing Facility, hosted by the World Bank, aims to scale up support for sexual and reproductive health, however, concerns remain that funds may be transferred from existing programmes.
Conditionality
News
IMF moved on from structural adjustment?
Concerns in existing and prospective borrower states about the appropriateness and efficacy of IMF-sanctioned reforms under lending and precautionary agreements.
Social services
Analysis
Health care for the few: the IFC’s Health in Africa initiative
New research reveals that Bank’s private sector arm, the IFC's Heath in Africa initiative is benefitting wealthy elites not the poorest.
Environment
Analysis
World Bank pricing carbon: real solution to climate change?
World Bank continues to promote putting a price on carbon as a key policy to tackle climate change while critics say it is just a new way of promoting failed carbon markets.
Rights
News
World Bank failed indigenous peoples in Ethiopia
A report by the World Bank’s Inspection Panel has confirmed that the Bank was non-compliant with its policies on a project in Ethiopia, including on indigenous peoples' rights.
Rights
News
UN experts critique World Bank draft safeguards
UN experts have questioned the World Bank’s draft safeguards’ lack of references to human rights, meanwhile the consultation process continues to raise concerns by NGOs.
