Africa: Urgent Education Reform Key to Unlocking Faster, More Inclusive Growth in Africa

[ad_1] Washington — Despite signs of a fragile economic recovery, Sub-Saharan Africa, remains stuck in "low gear" with a large youth population at risk of being left behind. According to the latest edition of Africa's Pulse, the World Bank's twice-yearly regional economic update released on October 14, two factors are critical to jumpstart inclusive growth: stabilizing economies and transforming education to equip the region's growing workforce with stronger foundational skills and market relevant expertise. The report, which is in its […]

October 15, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response Services in Ethiopia – Empowering Women and Girls in Conflict-Affected Areas

[ad_1] STORY HIGHLIGHTS Conflicts in Ethiopia have devastated communities, and the resulting loss of services and breakdown in social support systems have made it harder to access lifesaving gender-based violence response services. The World Bank is supporting the Government of Ethiopia to improve access to quality holistic GBV response services for conflict-affected communities across five regions. A total of 5 million people living in conflict-affected communities in the Afar, Amhara, Benshangul-Gumz, Oromia, and Tigray regions are benefitting from the project. […]

October 14, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: World Mental Health Day – a Day With Serious Meaning for Humanitarian Workers

[ad_1] The theme of World Mental Health Day 2024 is "Mental Health at Work." We asked colleagues from around the world to share their thoughts on this theme in a context where crises and disasters continue to multiply. For this article, we gathered insights from our colleagues working in the health sector in the IFRC Africa region. Humanitarian workers face unique challenges: they operate in contexts of severe hardship, often under pressure, and in environments where safety is never guaranteed. […]

October 11, 2024 1

Africa

Africa: Sierra Leone Should Adopt Fiscal Consolidation Measures to Ensure a Sustainable Economic Environment

[ad_1] Freetown — Sierra Leone's economy grew by 5.7% in 2023, exceeding expectations, driven by strong performance in the mining sector. However, growth is projected to slow to 4.3% in 2024 due to declining iron ore prices, according to the new World Bank Sierra Leone Economic Update launched today. The report notes a slightly optimistic medium-term outlook, with growth expected to recover to its long-term average of 4.6%, supported by a resurgence in the service sector, improved agricultural productivity, robust […]

October 10, 2024 3

Africa

Africa: Equatorial Guinea Economic Update – Designing Fiscal Instruments for Sustainable Forestry

[ad_1] Malabo — The World Bank today issued the 2024 Equatorial Guinea Economic Update which analyzes the country's recent economic developments and outlook and highlights the importance of designing effective fiscal instruments for sustainable forestry and economic diversification. Following two years of recovery, the economy of Equatorial Guinea contracted by 5.7% in 2023, driven by a decline in the hydrocarbon sector. Inflation decreased to 2.4% in 2023 compared to 4.9% in 2022, partly due to tight monetary policies pursued by […]

October 9, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: World Bank Group Unveils Strategy to Drive Inclusive Growth and Resilience in Zimbabwe

[ad_1] The World Bank Group's Board of Executive Directors has approved the new Country Engagement Note (CEN) for Zimbabwe (2025-2026), focused on supporting the country's immediate development priorities. Aligned with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2021-2025, the CEN contributes to the World Bank Group's mission of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. The CEN is structured around two pillars. Pillar 1 aims to support the country in reducing macroeconomic distortions, strengthening fiscal policies, and improving economic […]

October 9, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Response to the Mpox Epidemic – Interview With Dr. Michel Muvudi On the World Bank’s Strategic Role in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

[ad_1] In the fight against the mpox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Bank has rolled out a number of major initiatives to support the government and the affected communities. This interview with Dr. Michel Muvudi, Senior Health Specialist with the World Bank, highlights the work being done to address this epidemic and highlights the recommendations in place for the population. What steps have been taken by the World Bank to support the Democratic Republic of Congo […]

October 9, 2024 3

Africa

Africa: $20m Democracy Fund Launched in West Africa Amid Surge in Pro-Military Sentiment

[ad_1] The fund is intended to support West African states currently facing various democratic challenges. A coalition of international donors has launched a new $20 million West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF) to promote democracy in the subregion, following growing pro-military intervention sentiments. The fund, set up by the Ford Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, and Open Society Foundations, was launched in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, on Monday, with the mandate of strengthening democracy across the region. In […]

October 9, 2024 2

Entertainment

Nigeria: Group Donates 30 Desks, Exercise Books to Bauchi School

[ad_1] A Bauchi-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Kairos Initiative, has donated desks and other learning materials including books, pencils and cleaners to a primary school in Birshi Gandu, a community in Bauchi LGA of the state. Speaking during the donation, Executive Director of Kairos Initiative, Dr Moji Iheme, said the organization embarked on a need assessment and realised that the school was in dire need of the desks as there was none in the classrooms. Iheme explained, "We discovered that the […]

October 3, 2024 2

Aid and Assistance