The proposal by seven African countries that the World Trade Organisation (WTO study the impacts of trade liberalisation measures imposed by structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) before launching another round of tariff-cutting negotiations has been ignored.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Environment
News
Tanzanian authorities attempt to silence activists on Bulyanhulu case
Tanzanian authorities have arrested Rugemeleza Nshala, President of the Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT), and raided the house of another LEAT lawyer, Tundu Lissu in connection with their investigations into abuses and irregularities at the World Bank-backed Bulyanhulu gold mine.
Conditionality
News
Link budget to PRSP
The budget in Zambia should be linked to poverty reduction priorities, urged the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCPJ) in a statement submitted to the government in October 2001.
Infrastructure
News
Ugandan dam approved
In late December the World Bank approved the Bujagali dam, Uganda.
Conditionality
News
Malawian PRSP concerns
The Malawian Economic Justice Network released a statement in early September.
IFI governance
News
Tanzanian citizens marginalised in donor meeting
The Consultative Group (CG) meeting held in Tanzania in September was criticized by Tanzanian civil society organizations (CSOs) for failing adequately to involve citizens.
Conditionality
News
Ghana PRS has “potential”
An assessment of Ghana’s Poverty Reduction Strategy process (GPRS) suggests there is much potential for formulating, in a participatory manner, an effective poverty reduction strategy.
Social services
News
Tanzanian user-fees concern
In 2000 the US Congress passed a law requiring the government to oppose loans that includes user fees for basic health or education services.
Infrastructure
News
Nigerian groups demand moratorium
In August, about 100 civil society organisations, most based in the Niger Delta, halted a consultation with Peter Woicke, Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Social services
News
Workers protest Burkina privatisation plans
More than 1,000 workers from 13 public companies took to the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in August chanting slogans such as “Down with wildcat liberalisation!” and “Down with Bretton Woods injunctions!”.
Infrastructure
News
Letter on Bujagali dam, Uganda
Concerns raised about planned World Bank-backed private sector dam in Uganda.
Infrastructure
News
Nigerians condemn IFC collaboration with Shell
Niger Delta-based organisations outraged over pending World Bank loan for a joint project with Shell Oil in Nigeria, saying IFC favours profitability over local environmental and social concerns.
Featured briefings
6 April 2023
World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings 2023
5 April 2023
The global financial architecture and the international debt crisis: An urgent call for reform
Influence of unreformed international financial institutions and creditor interests in debt solutions in low- and middle-income countries plagued by delay and ineffective when undertaken.
4 April 2023