World Bank

Politics & Policy

Museveni’s new foreign funding law deepens fears over shrinking political space

New foreign funding law has drawn criticism from opposition figures, rights groups, and development partners
Medium shot of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signing an official act into law at State House.
EconomyOpinionPolitics & Policy

The Middle East war is hurting Africa. Here is how the continent fights back

As the Middle East war pushes African currencies lower and borrowing costs higher, a Pretoria scholar sets out how the continent must respond
Scattered South African rands notes against a white background.
Press Releases

President Museveni bids farewell to outgoing World Bank country manager, Mukami Kariuki

Ms Kariuki, who assumed her role on 1 August 2021, has led the World Bank’s engagement with the Ugandan government, overseeing the implementation of key development programmes
President Yoweri Museveni is pictured with Mukami Kariuki (right), the outgoing World Bank country manager for Uganda, and Qimiao Fan (second from left), the World Bank country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda, at State House in Entebbe on 28 July 2025. To the feft of Mr Fan is an unidentified woman.
Economy

Growth in sub-Saharan Africa set to strengthen as other regions struggle with the impact of US trade barriers

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of two regions expected to strengthen their economies this year, despite the fact that most of the world is set to experience its slowest pace of growth since 2008
The World Bank Group headquaters in Washington D.C.
Economy

World Bank names new country director for Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Somalia

Qimiao Fan, a Chinese national, will oversee the design and implementation of the World Bank's assistance programme for the four countries
The World Bank headquarters in Washington DC during the 2012 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, 16 April 2012
EconomyPolitics & Policy

The roots of the economic turmoil that led Kenyan youth to take to the streets

Corruption, a perennial problem in Kenya, has become a major source of anger; young people, who see corruption everywhere, from the street to offices, feel that it has stolen their future
A large group of youths protesting against proposed tax increases in Nairobi, June 2025
Opinion

Tanzania is a showcase for World Bank funding

The International Development Association is a major source of support for African countries struggling with mounting debt and shrinking fiscal space
Electricity infrastructure in Pemba, Tanzania. In May 2010, a submarine cable brought electricity from Tanga to Pemba (and on to the mainland). The cable was buried in the picturesque surroundings of Mkumbuu; three metres into the ground before rising to a mast about 120 metres from the water's edge. The cable continues to the Wesha substation, where "feeders" distribute the power to the island's grid. Norway paid NOK 475 million (out of a total cost of NOK 575 million). Norway also provided technical assistance to the project. The cable is now operated and maintained by the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO).
Digital EconomyInfrastructurePolitics & PolicyTechnology sector

Uganda seeks $146mn Chinese loan for national fibre-optic project

China also funded the first three phases of the national fibre-optic backbone infrastructure project
Servers in a data centre
Politics & Policy

Another reason to reform the World Bank: its private sector arm funds projects that fuel violent conflict

Study of International Finance Corporation projects between 1994 and 2022 shows that they lead to a significant increase in armed conflict events one year later
International Finance Corporation (IFC) headquarters in Washington DC., 2013. IFC is part of the World Bank Group. © Simone D. McCourtie/World Bank
OpinionPolitics & Policy

What the World Bank’s aid freeze says about the struggle over funds and sovereignty

Despite its insistence on national ownership of its projects, the World Bank uses its loan portfolio to govern and control its clients
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni (gesturing) and United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon in Kampala in 2013
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