The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
Despite a steady decline in child marriage in the last decade, multiple crises including conflict, climate shocks, and the ongoing fallout from COVID-19 are threatening to reverse hard-earned gains, according to this new analysis by UNICEF. Worldwide, an estimated 640 million girls and women alive today were married in childhood, …
Oil and gas operations account for nearly 15% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions today and the industry has the ability and resources to cut them quickly and cost effectively. This new IEA report examines the immediate steps the oil and gas industry needs to take to significantly reduce its emissions …
Nearly a quarter of global jobs will “change” in the next five years, with 69 million new jobs likely to be created and 83 million lost, according to this new report by the World Economic Forum The Future of Jobs Report 2023 explores how jobs and skills will evolve over …
The cost of capital (CoC) for renewable power generation technologies is a major determinant of the total price to purchasers of renewable electricity. Both reliable data, and a deep understanding of the composition of the CoC and its drivers, are therefore critical information. Crucially, even small differences in the CoC …
Many people in low-income countries rely on informal food systems for food and livelihoods. But informality puts food systems outside — or partly outside — the governance of states and value chains. This working paper explores the challenges involved in reversing decades of underinvestment, and why focusing too closely on …
The goal of this study is to assess the potential of game-based experiential learning in raising awareness and stimulating discussions about groundwater resource systems, the social dilemma in groundwater management, and the need for institutional arrangements (rules) governing this shared resource, as well as whether such awareness and community discussions …
Climate change is raising global temperatures and increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves. Heat stress contributes to significant negative health outcomes, particularly for infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, outdoor workers and other vulnerable people. For infants, young children and pregnant women, greater heat stress is increasing the …
Real GDP expanded by 17.7 percent in 2022, with per capita incomes surpassing the pre-pandemic levels. On the supply side, accommodation, transport, and commerce explained 60 percent of growth. On the demand side, exports (mainly tourism) and private consumption accounted for growth. The rebound in economic activity in 2022 was …
The Gabon Economic Update is an annual World Bank publication that presents an overview of the evolving macroeconomic position in Gabon, followed by a detailed exploration of a specific topic in each edition. The first chapter analyzes recent economic developments, as well as the macroeconomic outlook and risks for Gabon’s …
Around 90 per cent of adolescent girls and young women do not use the internet in low-income countries, while their male peers are twice as likely to be online, according to this new UNICEF analysis. The report – Bridging the Digital Divide: Challenges and an Urgent Call for Action for …
According to this new edition of the IEA's annual Global Electric Vehicle Outlook shows that more than 10 million electric cars were sold worldwide in 2022 and that sales are expected to grow by another 35% this year to reach 14 million. The Global EV Outlook is an annual publication …
The 2022 Climate Risk Insurance Annual Report highlights key insights and achievements from WFP-supported Climate Risk Insurance (CRI) programmes. It provides deep dives into WFP-supported CRI programmes in each country, as well as stories from the field, interviews with partners, and insights into how WFP promotes gender equality and women’s …
Despite massive infrastructure investments, countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continue to face unprecedented water scarcity due to climate change, population growth, and socioeconomic development. Current policy regimes for managing water across competing needs are primarily determined by state control of large infrastructure. Policy makers across …
As the world reboots its economies from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to adopt an economic development model that lessens environmental, climate and disaster risks and one where social and economic benefits are inclusive. At the core of the recovery and in line with commitments under the …
Populations across the globe are aging at an unprecedented pace, making many countries increasingly reliant on migration to realize their long-term growth potential, according to this new report by the World Bank. Populations across the globe are aging at an unprecedented pace, making many countries increasingly reliant on migration to …
The global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial (1850-1900) average, making it the "fifth or sixth" warmest year on record despite the La Nina conditions, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said in this report. From mountain peaks to ocean depths, climate change continued its advance …
The world is facing a red alert for children’s health: Vaccination coverage dropped sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving millions more children unprotected against some of childhood’s most serious diseases. In addition, many millions of children from some of the world’s most marginalized communities have long missed out on life-saving …
Paradoxically, while agriculture appears to be a buffer sector during the COVID-19 crisis in several Sub-Saharan African countries with agricultural production (Amankwah et al., 2021; Zeufack et al., 2021), food insecurity in Africa seems to be increasing (Food and Agriculture Organization et al., 2021). The negative effect of COVID-19 in …
Growth in sub-Saharan Africa will decline to 3.6 percent this year. Amid a global slowdown, activity is expected to decelerate for a second year in a row. Still, this headline figure masks significant variation across the region. The funding squeeze will also impact the region’s longer-term outlook. A shortage of …
This decade has been marked by multiple, often overlapping, crises. The COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and the ongoing war in Ukraine have all threatened the fabric of our global food systems. But opportunities can be found amid crises, and the world’s food systems have demonstrated surprising resilience. With new evidence …
