A newly published report adds to mounting criticism of the World Bank’s approach to health projects.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Finance
News
Zimbabwe turns to the IMF
In March the Zimbabwean cabinet agreed to a new debt relief strategy that includes recourse to the IMF and World Bank's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
Accountability
News
New World Bank Africa strategy in the works
The World Bank's 2005 Africa Action Plan (AAP) is up for review and the Bank is rolling out consultations.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank engaged in controversial Ethiopian dam?
In May, over 30 NGOs worldwide issued a letter telling IFIs, bilateral development agencies, and export credit agencies to stop investing in the Ethiopian hydropower project Gilgel Gibe III.
Environment
Commentary
Eskom loan blackens the World Bank's name
The World Bank, Business Unity South Africa and the African National Congress got their way with a major loan for Eskom, the national power authority, despite broad based opposition from local people, the poor, community organisations, the churches, unions, and environmental and social justice NGOs locally and globally.
Accountability
News
IMF restores votes for Zimbabwe
The IMF board announced in mid February that the voting rights of Zimbabwe would be restored after seven years of suspension for unpaid debt, meaning that Zimbabwe can now participate in Fund decision making.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank energy lending causes uproar
Debate about the World Bank energy portfolio and its impacts on climate change has reached the boiling point with hundreds of civil society organisations campaigning against the Bank's $3.75 billion loan for a new coal plant in South Africa.
Finance
News
World Bank hinders Southern Sudan's reconstruction
Government officials and development groups have criticised the failure of the World Bank and developed countries to deliver financial aid promised to Southern Sudan.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank's DRC hydro project derailed
The ongoing rehabilitation of the Inga dams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which receives financial assistance from the World Bank, will be delayed for three years.
Social services
News
World Bank health insurance not delivering in Ghana
In a forthcoming paper, NGO Oxfam will criticise the national health insurance scheme in Ghana, which has received technical assistance from the World Bank, for failing to deliver equitable health care.
Finance
News
Nigerian law makers: World Bank loan invalid
In December the Nigerian House of Representatives declared a $300 million loan from the World Bank invalid, because the National Assembly was not consulted before the government began negotiations for the loan.
Finance
News
IMF urges donors to pay up in Malawi
In mid January, the IMF took the unusual step of asking a group of donors to release budget support grants to Malawi, which they have been withholding until a new IMF programme is approved.
