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 …
Wider socio-economic and environmental benefits(and trade-offs) of actions to mitigate climate change are increasingly gaining traction in national and international policy discourse. When properly assessed and incorporated into the political debate, they can become key drivers of the global transition compatible with limiting future average temperature rise to within1.5°C. The …
During the 1990s, a new paradigm for power sector reform was put forward that emphasized the restructuring of utilities, the creation of regulators, the participation of the private sector, and the establishment of competitive power markets. Twenty-five years later, only a handful of developing countries have fully implemented these Washington …
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) finances innovative projects to expand sustainable energy access as part of a joint initiative with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). ADFD committed USD 350 million to support renewable energy uptake in developing countries through seven annual selection and funding cycles starting in …
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM), defined as the simultaneous manifestation of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity, affects most low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This Series paper describes the dynamics of the DBM in LMICs and how it differs by socioeconomic level. This Series paper shows that the DBM …
Malnutrition has historically been researched and addressed within two distinct silos, focusing either on undernutrition, food insecurity, and micronutrient deficiencies, or on overweight, obesity, and dietary excess. However, through rapid global nutrition transition, an increasing proportion of individuals are exposed to different forms of malnutrition during the life course and …
Adolescence and early adulthood are periods of major biological, economic and social transitions for rural youth. They provide a critical window of opportunity for addressing chronic nutritional deficits from childhood, for “catch-up” growth, for providing a solid foundation for a healthy productive and reproductive life, and for arresting the intergenerational …
Progress report of a study commissioned by the Federal German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as an input to the G7 Food Security Working Group and the national and international discussion to independently assess SDG 2 implementation, financial needs, and development in reference to the Elmau 500 million …
Progress report of a study commissioned by the Federal German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as an input to the G7 Food Security Working Group and the national and international discussion to independently assess SDG 2 implementation, financial needs, and development in reference to the Elmau 500 million …
Vulnerable developing countries lead world on climate ambition: UN report. Developing countries are leading the world in responding to climate change, according to a new report which calls for bold, urgent action to limit the impacts of global warming. At least 112 countries, including many of those most vulnerable to …
A new paradigm for power sector reform emerged during the 1990s, under the influence of the Washington Consensus, and began to spread across the developing world. This approach advocated restructuring of national power utilities to create scope for competition, while delegating responsibilities to the private sector under a clear regulatory …
The rapid spread of digital technologies is transforming many economic and social activities. While creating many new opportunities, widening digital divides threaten to leave developing countries, and especially least developed countries, further behind. A smart embrace of new technologies, enhanced partnerships and greater intellectual leadership are needed to redefine digital …
Around the world, nearly 1 billion people live without access to electricity, and about 840 million more live with unreliable and intermittent service from electric grids. For many of them, fossil fuel backup generators are the only source of power. But these machines offer a problematic, intermediate solution: their cost …
Climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and severity and both economic and human losses are climbing. Unfortunately, developing countries, which are the least equipped to deal with disasters, are often impacted the most. Over the past two decades, new financial tools have emerged to help developing countries cope with disaster. …
The least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable groups of countries in the world. They are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of climate change due to their structural constraints and geographical disadvantage. In 2016, 13 out of …
Taking a food systems approach is a promising strategy for improving diets. Implementing such an approach would require the use of a comprehensive set of metrics to characterize food systems, set meaningful goals, track food systems performance, and evaluate the impacts of food systems interventions. Food systems metrics are also …
The world is off-track to meet most of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets linked to hunger, food security and nutrition, according to a FAO report. The report paints a grim picture. Four years into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, regression is the norm when it comes to ending …
Climate crisis disasters are happening at the rate of one a week, though most draw little international attention and work is urgently needed to prepare developing countries for the profound impacts, the UN has warned. Catastrophes such as cyclones Idai and Kenneth in Mozambique and the drought afflicting India make …
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – in which a microorganism (such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite) becomes resistant to an antimicrobial drug used to treat infections caused by it – is possibly the most serious public health threat of our time. Recognising the gravity of the problem, the international community …
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promises to achieve change in almost every aspect of life on Earth. Encompassing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, the Agenda marks the first time in history when all nations have agreed on how to chart their future. The SDGs …
This paper finds evidence that the displacement of population by flooding is associated with a higher risk of social disorder in large cities in developing countries. Floods regularly displace large numbers of people in developing countries, leading to increased population movement from rural areas to the largest cities. The evidence …
