About our World Bank news
Latest news on World Bank, providing comprehensive coverage of global development, funding initiatives, poverty reduction, and economic policies.
The World Bank Group, comprising five institutions led by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), remains a cornerstone of global financial governance. With operations in over 170 countries and annual lending exceeding $100 billion, the Bank continues to pursue its twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity worldwide.
Recent developments include the Bank's expanded climate financing commitments, now targeting 45% of annual financing towards climate action. Under President Ajay Banga, appointed in June 2023, the institution has embraced an "evolution roadmap" to increase its lending capacity by $50 billion over the next decade while streamlining operations to address concurrent global crises—from climate change to food insecurity and conflict-related displacement.
Beyond financial operations, the World Bank's impact extends to communities through projects like the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), which has supported over 250,000 women-led businesses across developing economies. The institution has also ramped up its digital development partnerships, helping countries build resilient digital infrastructure and skills training programmes essential for economic inclusion in today's rapidly evolving global economy.
Founded in 1944 following the Bretton Woods Conference, the World Bank originally focused on post-war reconstruction before evolving into a development-centred institution. Throughout its history, the Bank has navigated criticism regarding its governance structure—which grants greater voting power to wealthy nations—and the environmental and social impacts of certain projects, leading to substantive reforms in its safeguard policies and transparency mechanisms.
Our NewsNow feed on the World Bank delivers timely updates on policy announcements, major lending decisions, and analysis from leading economists and development experts. Whether you're interested in global finance, sustainable development, or international relations, this feed provides essential insights into one of the world's most influential financial institutions and its role in shaping the global economic landscape.