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World Bank

Two excavators at a mine
Critical minerals

Rich in minerals, poor in processing: Africa’s green-energy dilemma

A World Bank study finds African countries mine transition minerals but rarely process them, limiting industrial and economic gains
Medium shot of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signing an official act into law at State House.

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
Scattered South African rands notes against a white background.
Middle East war

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
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.

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
The World Bank Group headquaters in Washington D.C.

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 headquarters in Washington DC during the 2012 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, 16 April 2012

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
A large group of youths protesting against proposed tax increases in Nairobi, June 2025

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
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).
World Bank

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
Servers in a data centre

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

More World Bank

16 November 2023

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
7 November 2023

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
6 October 2023

After 50 years, the World Bank and IMF return to Africa, and with them a dated approach

The two institutions' one-size-fits-all approach to Africa is one of several flaws limiting their effectiveness in addressing current global challenges

An outdoor discussion, with two female panellists seated in the chair, and other female holding a microphone and standing, as well as an audience
25 August 2023

Brics alliance strengthens as six nations join inclusive global club

The Brics alliance is counting on its expansion to strengthen global governance reform and offer an alternative to Western-dominated institutions

17 August 2023

World Bank’s loan freeze tests its supposed non-political stance

The World Bank's recent decision to halt new loans to Uganda over its anti-homosexuality law highlights the blurred lines between economics and politics, raising questions about its approach to navigating complex social issues

The World Bank Headquarters, Washington DC.
8 November 2021

The World Bank and IMF are using flawed logic in their quest to do away with the informal sector

Recent reports by the World Bank and the IMF claim, wrongly, that informal economies undermine efforts to boost tax income and economic growth

30 June 2020

World Bank agrees $300m coronavirus loan to Uganda

The World Bank Group said on Tuesday that its board had approved $300m in budget support for the Uganda government to boost its fight against the coronavirus and to support the economy

21 May 2020

World Bank approves Shs182bn loan for Uganda’s desert locust response

The World Bank said on Thursday its board approved a low-interest loan to support Uganda’s desert locus response and strengthen its emergency response systems

The World Bank Headquarters, Washington DC.
16 April 2020

Africa’s big asks at this year’s IMF and World Bank spring meetings

The scale of the economic onslaught wrought by the coronavirus pandemic will dominate discussions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank spring meetings scheduled to take place – for the first time ever virtually – on 17 to 19 April

World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C.
5 March 2020

IMF, World Bank set aside $60bn for coronavirus response in developing countries

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are allocating more than $60 billion in emergency funds for developing countries to combat the coronavirus outbreak