Bretton Woods Observer
IFC and MIGA must ‘walk the accountability walk’ on the road mapped by independent review
Implementation in full of the independent review of IFC, MIGA and CAO is essential if institutions are to meet persistent accountability and remedy gaps.
Repairing harm caused: What could a reparations approach mean for the IMF and World Bank?
It is time for the IMF and World Bank to understand their own responsibility and decolonise their approach.
World Bank funded $17.3 million Uganda reproductive health voucher PPP fails to reach the poorest women
World Bank backs private sector voucher project in Uganda as poorest women lose out.
An IMF bailout for Lebanon can make things worse
Amidst multiple financial and economic crises, a classic IMF intervention in Lebanon could exacerbate inequalities and social tensions.
Over optimistic IMF forecasts risk dire consequences for Covid-19 response
As G20 gears up to take critical decisions on international financial response to Covid-19, the consequences of overly rosy IMF forecasts are potentially more costly than ever.
Civil society raises alarm about IMF’s continued backing of austerity amidst pandemic
Egypt, Ukraine, South Africa and Ecuador have recently signed IMF loan programmes that involve severe austerity measures.
As World Bank pauses Doing Business Report, pressure mounts for it to be permanently scrapped
Civil society, trade unions and academics call for permanent end of Doing Business Report as World Bank suspends its publication due to data irregularities.
World Bank and IMF lend support to mega-gas project in Mozambique, undeterred by growing risks
Despite growing focus on climate issues, both institutions have backed controversial Mozambique LNG project.
World Bank loan to India promotes private sector in education as millions of children out of school
World Bank Indian education loan causes controversy over private sector provisions.
What types of financing does the IMF provide?
The IMF provides various types of loans to member governments. This background article explains how IMF lending works and sets out the differences between the main types of IMF lending.
MIGA considering support for Guinea’s Nimba mining project in UNESCO heritage site
The Mount Nimba nature reserve has been listed as a World Heritage site since 1981 but classified as “in danger” since 1992, in part due to the threat of iron-ore mining.
World Bank abandons pandemic bond instrument after disastrous Covid-19 response
World Bank’s pandemic bond instrument scrapped after high visibility Covid-19 failure
Changes at the top for IFC and its accountability mechanism
IFC and CAO will undergo changes in leadership at a pivotal time for both institutions, with merit-based selection of new leaders essential.
Struggle for IFC accountability for Tata Mundra continues despite landmark immunity ruling
IFC continues to avoid responsibility for its investments in Tata Mundra coal power plant as US federal court rules that harmful acts took place outside the United States.
World Bank power sector loan in Nigeria raises energy costs as economic crisis bites
As Nigeria enters a deepening economic recession, a $750 million World Bank programme for results (P4R) loan has resulted in increased electricity tariff rates for most Nigerians.
