Bretton Woods Observer
The IMF’s role in the Ebola outbreak
IMF conditionalities attached to loans to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea drained health services, damaging countries’ ability to handle the recent Ebola crisis.
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…
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…
The World Bank: In the vanguard of an infrastructure boom
This briefing analyses the “biggest investment boom in human history”, examining elements of a new public-private partnership focused infrastructure investment…
The Arab world’s subsidy nightmare: pondering alternatives
For decades, the Arab region has embarked on a series of IMF-prescribed energy subsidy reforms, which have contributed to increased poverty levels.
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.
IFC ignores concerns about investments in financial intermediaries
IFC disagrees with concerns raised by CAO about its capacity to assess whether its investments through financial intermediaries have a positive development impact.
Out with the new, in with the old? World Bank restructure reveals “colonial mindset”
Criticism of the latest elements of World Bank’s restructure mounts from staff and the media, undermining president Kim’s leadership.
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.
Eye on the prize – the Greek debt sustainability question
Despite heated debates about the consequences of Syriza’s win in Greece and the IMF’s stance on debt reduction, the question of debt sustainability remains central to the country’s economic future.
Recommended resources 2014
The best papers and books on the World Bank and IMF from 2014.
Debt relief for Ebola-affected states delayed
IMF debt relief plan to Ebola-affected states overdue after G20, US, Guinean president, as well as CSOs, call for urgent support and debt forgiveness.
Guide to the IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office
Understanding the Independent Evaluation Office of the IMF, including how it works and how civil society can input into its evaluations.
IEG calls on World Bank for more gender integration
Independent Evaluation Group highlights lack of gender integration in World Bank social safety net projects
WDR 2015: Mind over matter
Behavioural economics is the basis for the World Bank’s 2015 World Development Report but is criticised for ignoring the impact of power and politics.
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.
Bankspeak of the year 2014
Bankspeak of the year 2014 celebrates some of the most ridiculous public remarks of Fund and Bank staff.
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.
