World Bank | The Development Podcast

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 look at Mission 300, an ambitious plan from the World Bank Group and partners, which will link 300 million people to electricity by 2030.SpeakersAjay Banga, President, World Bank GroupSamia Suluhu Hassan, President of TanzaniaVictoria Kwakwa, Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank GroupAndrew Herscowitz, the CEO of Mission 300 Accelerator, established by Rockefeller Catalytic CapitalHassanein Hiridjee, CEO, Axian GroupKlaartje Schnade, Co-founder, Mwani ZanzibarNora Anyidoho, Ghanian PoetTimestamps[00:00] Introducing the topic: Powering Development in Sub-Saharan Africa[03:33] Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit[06:28] The link between electrification and jobs: Visions of an entrepreneur in Zanzibar[10:50] Achieving the Mission 300 target[14:21] Partnerships are key to achieving the targets set by the Mission 300 plan[20:13] The private sector is a crucial part of the energy puzzle[28:12] Poem from Ghanaian poet, Nora AnyidohoABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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 pledging meeting in Seoul, Korea.As IDA completes its 21st replenishment, we journey to Korea to hear how the country, which has recently pledged a 45% in its contribution, has gone from recipient to donor. And we’ll learn about some of the development priorities of another donor country, Switzerland. Featured voicesAki Nishio, Vice President of Development Finance at the World Bank Juyoung Yang, Associate Fellow in the Department of Macroeconomics and Financial Policy of the Korea Development Institute Chantal Felder, Head of the Climate, Disaster Risk Reduction and Environment Section, Swiss Agency for Development and cooperation (SDC) Timestamps[00:00] Introducing the International Development Association (IDA)[03:26] Korea's developmental transformation[06:25] Visions from the ground on Korea's economic growth[11:10] How IDA is helping countries to tackle climate change[17:04] International cooperation: Switzerland's commitment to IDA[20:14] Hope on the horizon in a context of polycrisisABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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 the heart of what it means to measure results, why it matters and how it has gained traction across the development community. We also get snapshots from two projects: one in Mozambique and one in Jordan. Listen now! Featured voicesEd Mountfield, Vice President, Operations Policy and Country Services, World BankLu Shen, Director, Results Management and Aid Effectiveness Division Strategy, Policy, and Partnerships Department, Asian Development BankVoices from development projects in Mozambique and JordanTimestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:57] Impact on development projects: Voices from Mozambique and Jordan[06:51] Introducing the World Bank Group scorecard[09:53] Scorecard: Measurement, results, and transparency[14:46] What is impact and why is it important? Targets and SDGs[17:36] Alignment in measuring impact across all the MDBs: The case of the Asian Development BankABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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 big picture. Join The Development Podcast!Featured VoicesChristine Zhenwei Qiang, Global Director, Digital Transformation, World Bank GroupNaomi Longa, Seawomen of Melanesia, Papua New Guinea; Fred Munene, “Farm with Fred” farmer and YouTuber, Kenya; Snehal Joshi, Principal, Shikha Academy, India; Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink, Director of Product Impact at Google; Petra Molnar, Harvard Faculty Associate, lawyer, anthropologist, and authorTimestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[02:59] Artificial intelligence to protect the coral reefs in Papua New Guinea[05:50] Artificial intelligence in educational settings in India[07:36] Artificial intelligence, agriculture, and youth in Kenya[09:05] How is AI already being used in the developing world and expansion ahead[11:49] What are the ethical considerations to keep in mind[13:58] Jobs: Artificial intelligence and labor market[16:11] Programs and partnerships where AI is taking the lead: The case of Google[20:35] How AI is currently being used in the context of refugeesABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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 highlights from the week. We hear from Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at the World Health Organization; Svenja Schulze, Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany; Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance for Zambia; Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health, Nigeria; Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO of Axian Group; Reverend Eugene Cho, President and CEO of Bread for the World; and Raj Kumar, President & Editor-in-Chief at Devex. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesAjay Banga, President of the World Bank GroupDr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at the World Health OrganizationSvenja Schulze, Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development of GermanySitumbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance for ZambiaMuhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health, NigeriaHassanein Hiridjee, CEO of Axian GroupReverend Eugene Cho, President and CEO of Bread for the WorldRaj Kumar, President & Editor-in-Chief at DevexTimestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:45] World Bank Group: Turning an ambitious vision into impact[07:16] Scaling up energy solutions and investments[09:38] Expanding quality and affordable healthcare services[13:03] In focus: International Development Association (IDA)[17:41] World Bank's reforms, its vision, and the road aheadABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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, Practice Manager, Energy and Extractives, West and Central Africa, World Bank; Manoj Sinha, CEO, Husk Power; Anubha Shukla, Vice President, D2R, Husk Power; and Nidhi Pant, a 2023 winner of the UK’s Earthshot Prize and Co-Founder of S4S Technologies as they share their personal stories and examples on why investing in renewable energy is crucial in the fight to create world free of poverty on a livable planet. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesAshish Khanna, Practice Manager, Energy and Extractives, West and Central Africa, World BankManoj Sinha, CEO, Husk PowerAnubha Shukla, Vice President, D2R, Husk PowerNidhi Pant, a 2023 winner of the UK’s Earthshot Prize and Co-Founder of S4S TechnologiesTimestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[02:49] Case study: S4S Technologies, green jobs and value chains[07:27] Case study: Husk Power Systems, gender, renewable power industry, green transition and jobs[11:28] Personal story: Starting a career and a business in the renewable energy sector[15:10] Nigeria and the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy (DARES) Program[19:11] The link between green jobs and renewable energy[20:03] DARES Nigeria project: Access to electricity and green jobs[22:43] Business models: The role of the local community in terms of innovation[24:41] Overlapping crisis: Green jobs as a part of the recovery to create stability in the world[26:26] ClosureABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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 issues affecting planet, people and prosperity.Today, we turn our attention to the planet as we speak with three high-profile guests about climate change. We'll also hear from a climate advocate in Samoa and other youth activists. Join us as we speak to Her Excellency, Hon. Fiamē Naomi Mata'Afa, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Samoa on how the fallout of climate change impacts Small Island Developing States; Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on emissions reduction and climate solutions; the World Bank’s Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations, on the Bank’s role in climate action; and Brianna Fruean, a young climate advocate from Samoa who shares her own experiences.Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you!Timestamps[00:00] Welcome: Introducing the topic and speakers[02:37] Climate activism: Voices from Samoa[08:41] Samoa: Climate crisis, infrastructure challenges, role of women, challenges ahead, COP28[16:49] Climate activism: Voices from Ghana[18:06] UNEP: Scaling the challenge, greenhouse gas emissions, urgent actions and investments, climate game changers[25:59] Climate activism: Voices from Egypt[26:56] World Bank: Climate game changers, financing climate action, Country Climate Development Reports, hope on the horizon[33:06] Climate activism: Voices from Chile and Samoa[34:43] Closure and thanks for tuning in!Featured VoicesHer Excellency, Hon. Fiamē Naomi Mata'Afa, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of SamoaInger Andersen, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive DirectorAnna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations, World BankBrianna Fruean, Climate Change Advocate, SamoaABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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 pollution and waste. What can we do to fight the global food crisis, especially in the most vulnerable regions? What are the World Bank and its partners doing to address this issue and what solutions have worked on the ground?To answer these questions, on this episode of The Development Podcast we speak to: Gladys Wanja, a Kenyan mother and entrepreneur on the struggles she faces putting food on the table; Valerie Guarnieri, the World Food Programme’s Assistant Executive Director for Programme and Policy Development on how the Nobel-prize winning organization responds to dire emergencies; Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, NASA Harvest’s Africa Program Director and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland on solutions in space technology, and Martien van Nieuwkoop, the World Bank’s Global Director for Agriculture and Food on what the Bank is doing to address the food crisis.Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesMartien van Nieuwkoop, the World Bank’s Global Director for the Agriculture and Food Global PracticeValerie Guarnieri, the World Food Program’s Assistant Executive for Programme Director and Policy Development Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, NASA Harvest’s Africa Program Director and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Gladys Wanja, a Kenyan mother and small business owner Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:46] What is food security and why the world is currently in a food crisis[03:02] Voices from Kenya on food price volatility[05:46] Voices from Central African Republic: boosting food production[07:09] World Food Program: Providing emergency lifesaving food and cash assistance[08:19] Impacts of famine and hunger beyond malnutrition[09:30] Conflict is a driver of hunger[10:38] Beyond emergency: Building resilience when it comes to food security[14:13] Data for development: The role of satellites and NASA partnerships[15:52] How food security issues are manifesting in East Africa[17:28] The next frontier for using satellite data for food systems[18:54] Voices from Egypt: Preparedness and resilience to future shocks[20:00] What's needed to ensure longer term food security[22:29] What the World Bank is doing to tackle food security[25:19] Closure and thanks for tuning in!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.