World Bank | The Development Podcast

What does knowledge mean in an age of AI, deepfakes, and disinformation? When information is everywhere, the real challenge is distinguishing insight from noise. In this episode of the Development Podcast, host Toni Karasanyi explores how knowledge is evolving in a world where machines can generate convincing arguments and personalized realities shape how we consume information. Tech journalist Ja...

In development, big wins come from working together — building trust, sharing expertise, and bringing the right partners to the table. In this episode of The Development Podcast , we explore why partnerships matter — from the teamwork and great duos we see in sport, to the coalitions needed to deliver results at scale. We look at potential from a partnership with Alabama Agricultural and Mechanica...

This year countries grappled with a cascade of shocks and economic turbulence, from ongoing conflicts and economic uncertainty to catastrophic weather that tested communities. Yet in the face of these challenges, nations proved far more resilient and adaptive than predicted. In this episode of The Development Podcast , we look back at what shaped 2025 and look ahead to 2026 and beyond. As the glob...

Job creation is the north star for the World Bank Group . But how can we go about it in a way that has a truly catalytic impact? Impact in the sense of generating large numbers of jobs in a sustained way. The answer is to build ecosystems , where all elements interact and support each other. In this episode of The Development Podcast , we get into the nuts and bolts of building jobs ecosystems. We...

The world's population growth tells two stories: in many countries populations are aging, while in others, populations are getting younger. Projections show most countries will likely see shrinking populations within the next 25 years due to historically low fertility rates. But the African continent is bucking this trend. It has the potential to benefit from a demographic dividend: an opportunity...

How can energy-efficient light bulbs, bricks, and buildings cut costs and improve energy security? In this episode of The Development Podcast , , we discover that energy efficiency doesn’t just save money—it also drives growth and creates jobs. In 2022 alone, energy efficiency became the largest employer in the energy sector—supporting nearly 11 million jobs—from manufacturing and construction to...

Risk is all around us , an inherent part of life. And in the world of development, there are also risks, including war, civil disturbance and expropriation. In this episode of The Development Podcast , we take a deep dive into the work of MIGA, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency – home of the new World Bank Group Guarantee Platform . Its work with the private sector gives investors the c...

The digital world is developing at a phenomenal pace. From AI tools at our fingertips, to advancements in energy, consumer technology, and connectivity: change is here. Harnessing these changes can unlock prosperity, create jobs, allow access to public services, and accelerate development. But with the digital divide still creating a chasm of connectivity, bridging the gap is an urgent challenge....

With 1.2 billion young people in emerging economies reaching working age over the next decade—and only about 420 million jobs expected to be generated— the urgency of finding scalable and sustainable solutions has never been greater. In this episode of The Development Podcast , we hear from one young person about their journey into the world of work and what the World Bank Group is doing to addres...

To mark Women’s Month we’re digging into an often overlooked, but critical sector for the global economy, and for many millions of women: Artisanal and Smallscale Mining (ASM) . From gold, cobalt, copper and gemstones to salt, gravel and quarry rock: artisanal and small-scale mining) has played an active role in national development and international trade over the decades. But as the demand for c...

Many of us take turning on a light switch or connecting our devices to a home Wi-Fi network for granted. If our phones need charging, we plug them in, if we want hot water we boil a kettle. These are things we don’t think about, because we don’t have to. But around 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still live without access to electricity . In this episode of The Development Podcast , we lo...

As the world approaches the quarter way point of the 21st century, we take stock of the last year in development and the challenges ahead . And we return to the work of the International Development Association (IDA) , in verse. Join us as we hear from Ayhan Kose , Deputy Chief Economist of the World Bank Group and Director of the Prospects Group, and Emi Mahmoud , Poet, activist and UNHCR Goodwil...

The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s low-income countries. IDA's grants and low-interest loans help countries invest in their futures, improve lives, and create safer, more prosperous communities around the world. Replenished every three years, IDA’s current round of negotiations is scheduled to conclude in December 2024 in a final pl...

The International Monetary Fund-World Bank Group 2024 Annual Meetings marked a turn of the page to the next phase of our mission: Ensuring job creation—and employment—are not the byproduct of our projects but an explicit aim of them. In this latest episode of The Development Podcast , we draw on some of the highlights from the Annual Meetings , as well as announcements on creating a new eco-system...

As the old saying goes, if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. But of course, what you measure is important too. In this episode of The Development Podcast , we explore how the World Bank Group aims to strengthen its impact with a slimmed-down and focused scorecard . We’ll hear how the scorecard will better measure and track results , as well as identify areas for improvement. We’ll get to...

Creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet has been the vision and mission of the World Bank Group since October 2023. But what does it mean for people and planet? We’ve just wrapped up our series of podcasts exploring these crucial questions, and in this episode we bring you some of the highlights from the last year. We take you on a journey around the world from Samoa to Nepal and hear...

Does artificial intelligence amount to a dystopian nightmare for the developing world, eliminating jobs and confirming the worse biases across societies? Or could it lead the way to a brighter future, helping to solve critical development issues? We explore the ways in which artificial intelligence is being used across the globe at a grassroots level in India, Papua New Guinea – as well as get the...

Forests are disappearing at an alarming rate of 10 million hectares each year and about 12% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to deforestation and forest degradation. But nature provides the foundation for inclusive growth, jobs, food security, ecosystems and human wellbeing. So, what are the economics of biodiversity and how can we achieve growth whilst protecting forests? Jo...

The 2024 World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings took place from April 11-18. The focus for this year was on how the World Bank Group can turn its vision – of creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet – into real impact . This includes becoming a better Bank – one that is faster, more effective, and more ambitious. In this latest episode of The Development Podcast , we draw on some of the...

As the world celebrates International Womens Day , we take a look at where we are on the march towards gender equality. How big is the gender gap and what would happen if we closed it? What are some stumbling blocks along this journey? And how can international organizations like the World Bank Group and IMF help achieve more progress? Find out the answers to these questions and more as we speak w...

The transition away from fossil fuels could create as many as 30 million ‘green’ jobs in clean energy and low-emissions technologies by 2030. So what is a ‘green job’? How can countries and companies support jobs that benefit people and the planet ? And how can young people prepare for green jobs of the future? Find out the answers to these questions and more as we speak with Ashish Khanna, Practi...

Forced displacement is a development challenge, not only a humanitarian concern . As of September 2023, 114 million people were displaced, and this number continues to grow as conflict and insecurity rise across the globe. Most refugees are hosted by developing countries, and the issues around support and integration of refugee communities are often deeply political. In this episode— the second in...

The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) comes at the heels of the hottest year in human history. Our newest episode of The Development Podcast delves into the impact of the climate crisis and urgent solutions to address it. This episode marks the launch of our new limited series on how to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet . Over the next 5 episodes, we’ll explore critical i...

The 2023 World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings took place from October 9-15 in Marrakech, Morocco, and unveiled the Bank’s bold new vision: creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet . Events and discussions highlighted this new mission, highlighting an expansion in financial capacity, stronger partnerships, deeper engagement with the private sector, and finding more efficient processes....

Multiple shocks – from COVID-19 to climate change, conflict, crop disease – are crippling food systems, leading to higher food prices and growing hunger. Up to 783 million people faced hunger in 2022 , and projections show that in 2030, over 600 million people will still struggle to feed their families. The way we produce food is also harmful for the planet, generating unsustainable levels of poll...