Pakistan on track to receive its 24th loan from the IMF after the lender disbursed the last tranche of the country’s latest $3 billion programme.
Social services
IFI governance
Analysis
Wrap-up Annuals 2024: BWIs' reforms lack evidence and engagement with UN processes
Social services
Analysis
The World Bank Group promotes a model of social protection via poverty-targeted programmes that are error-strewn and can cause social unease, and set back progress towards universal social protection.
Social services
Analysis
Beyond the World Bank: The fight for universal social protection in the Global South
Accountability
Analysis
While World Bank President declares the benefits of a “bigger and better” Bank, the scandal of alleged child sexual abuse and cover up relating to IFC investments in Bridge Academies demonstrates the urgent need for the Bank to establish a robust remedy framework.
Accountability
Analysis
A proposal for Ajay: No evolution without remedy
Environment
News
World Bank's $1 billion loan to South Africa risks undermining just transition by doubling down on 'de-risking' private capital
Despite the Just Energy Transition Partnership's failure to attract private investments in South Africa, the World Bank is doubling down on a private sector led approach to the green transition through $1 billion loan contingent on the separation of Eskom’s activities.
Accountability
News
Another day, another IFC scandal
A Telegraph exposé unveils how a private hospital group in India which received £120 million in IFC investment since 2005 was running an illegal organ trading scheme, adding to a growing number of IFC-funded scandals.
Environment
News
Resilience and Sustainability Trust’s first loans promote climate PPPs, raising concerns they may create fiscal risks
Initial financing for Costa Rica, Barbados, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Jamaica tied to efforts to ‘green’ PPP frameworks.
Social services
News
World Bank’s definition of ‘universal’ social protection - another buzzword?
World Bank’s newly released Social Protection and Jobs Compass guidance note creates confusion over the Bank’s definition of ‘universal’ social protection.
Conditionality
News
Unbalanced financial stimulus followed by fiscal austerity: When will the IMF learn from its mistakes?!
New reports by Financial Transparency Coalition and Eurodad highlight uneven distribution of Covid-19 stimulus spending followed by socially painful fiscal austerity.
Rights
News
A new SDR allocation: Combatting deepening fragility concerns
The links between high debt burdens, lack of climate finance, austerity and the rise in political instability and fragility, conflict and violence remain largely neglected as IMF shareholders consider calls for a new SDR allocation, as proposed by the Bridgetown Agenda.
Social services
News
World Bank issues new guidance on PPPs legal frameworks, ignoring long-standing concerns with the model
New World Bank guidance on PPP legal frameworks evidence of institution’s continued reliance on PPPs as key to addressing SDG financing gap despite well-documented failures. Previous World Bank PPP contracts template criticised for incompatibility with human rights norms.
Other news
Private Sector
News
World Bank embarks on pilot phase of Business Ready Project, disregarding civil society concerns
B-READY pilot 1 covering 51 countries is released, ignoring CSO concerns about the project’s flawed “private-sector first” agenda.
Social services
News
The World Bank's water privatisation agenda neglects fundamental human rights
World Bank's water privatisation agenda directly clashes with its poverty alleviation goals, disregarding water as a basic human right.
Social services
News
Sri Lankan trade unions call out IMF and World Bank's dismantling of country’s social protection system in favour of ineffective targeting schemes
Sri Lankan trade unions call out IMF and World Bank's dismantling of country’s social protection system in favor of ineffective targeting schemes.
Conditionality
News
Tunisian government resists proposed IMF austerity programme
Tunisian government is attempting to renegotiate IMF loan to avoid subsidy cuts on food and fuel.
Social services
News
Civil society calls to move away from PPPs grow, while World Bank doubles down on private finance-led approach
Civil society ramps up calls to move away from public-private partnerships (PPPs) with Santiago Declaration for Public Services.
Infrastructure
News
MIGA’s support for gas projects raises concerns about its climate credentials
World Bank’s commercial insurance arm provided nearly $850 million in guarantees for gas projects in Bangladesh and Mozambique in fiscal year 2022.
Conditionality
News
Nigerians set for higher bills as Bank pushes for removal of ‘inefficient’ energy subsidies
Nigerians set for higher energy bills amidst deep economic crisis as Bank pushes for removal of ‘inefficient’ energy subsidies.
Conditionality
News
The human face of the World Bank's private sector bias: The privatisation of Kenya's healthcare
A November 2021 report by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University highlights the human rights consequences of the World Bank’s Maximising Finance for Development approach.