Social services

Commentary

The private sector in Ghana’s water - a strategy to serve or steal?

Rudolf Amenga-Etego of GrassrootsAfrica comments that the Ghanaian government must re-prioritise the national budget in favour of the water sector. However, this will only be possible if the international financial institutions are restrained.

Accountability

News

Chad-Cameroon pipeline: Corruption and double standards

The Bank’s claim that the Chad-Cameroon oil and pipeline project proves that petro-dollars can benefit the poor is undermined by the claims of local communities and NGOs who cite numerous examples of violations of social and environmental safeguards.

Accountability

News

Private sector safeguard review continues despite boycotts

Civil society organisations globally have stepped up their campaign against the International Finance Corporation's process to overhaul its safeguard policies.

Accountability

News

Wolfensohn: African governance “polluted”

The latest soundbite from Bank president James Wolfensohn has to be read to be believed.

IFI governance

Background

Bretton Woods Institutions should “start a new life”: Chinese central bank governor

A panel was held with southern country officials to discuss the democratic deficit at the World Bank and IMF.

Finance

News

Debt sustainability: Oasis or mirage?

UNCTAD has launched a fourth report on economic development in Africa.

Social services

News

Bank approves Ghana water loan

In August, the World Bank approved a $103 million loan for the privatisation of Ghana's…

Accountability

News

Corruption in Mozambique goes unchallenged

The Bank's new country director for Mozambique and Angola, Michael Baxter appears hesitant to tackle…

IFI governance

News

Bank constructs “governance states”

A new book by Graham Harrison at the University of Sheffield examines the role of the World Bank in constructing "governance states" in Africa.

IFI governance

News

African directors capacity fund underway

The Analytical Trust Fund for sub-Saharan executive directors at the Bank and Fund will hold its inaugural steering committee meeting in September.

IFI governance

News

Landmark decision: Canadian company debarred

Anti-corruption campaigners are applauding the World Bank's decision to debar Acres International, a Canadian company found guilty by Lesotho courts of engaging in corrupt activities in a Bank-funded water project.

Conditionality

News

Moving the goalposts: Zambia’s misery prolonged

Despite intensive efforts to implement the necessary conditions, Zambia has been told that it will have to wait even longer for debt relief.