World Bank

Every year, governments and development organizations spend billions on business upgrading programs — training, mentorship, consulting — designed to help small firms grow. These programs work, on average. For men. …

The energy price index surged by 25.7% in September, led by crude oil (+21.2%) and natural gas (+15.3%), according to the World Bank’s Pink Sheet. The non-energy index edged up …

Every morning in Chokmorov village, Khanzada Segizbaeva takes her two children to preschool and then walks to a nearby sewing workshop. Having dependable childcare meant she could return to paid …

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29, 2026 – The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, Aaa/AAA) today priced a new USD 1.5 billion Sustainable Development Bond linked to the …

COLOMBO, September 30, 2026—The World Bank today approved $110 million to help Sri Lanka repair and reconstruct 600 kilometers of roads that were severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. The new …

TUNIS, September 22, 2026 – Tunisia’s economy has settled into a path of slow growth, and is vulnerable to rising import prices and imbalances in public finances. One key determinant …

Across Kampala, battery swapping is transforming the daily routine of electric boda-boda riders. In minutes, a spent battery is out, a charged one is in, and the rider is gone. No waiting. …

On September 15, 2026, the Executive Board of the World Bank approved the proposed reforms to the joint IMF-World Bank Debt Sustainability Framework for Low-Income Countries. Since the last review …

Many countries run their urban economies the same way: investment and opportunity concentrate in a handful of large cities, while mid-sized cities with real productive capacity contribute well below their …

Originally published in the Oman Observer on September 1.  From the era of dhow fleets and ancient spice routes to today’s deep-water ports, Oman’s strategic location at the crossroads of …