Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact

Епизоде

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  Episode 49 Administrative Data: The Government’s Hidden Asset 14.09.2026 9мин

  40% of Brazil’s federal civil servants were projected to retire by 2030, while tax auditors with similar experience showed a five-fold difference in gross pay. This episode explores how governments can use administrative data they already collect—from payroll and procurement to service-delivery records—to uncover inefficiencies, improve planning, and measure performance more accurately. It also examines why reliable insights depend on strong, consistent data systems. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics  
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  Episode 48 Raise Revenue Better: What Makes a Tax System Actually Work? 31.08.2026 9мин

  💰 Ghana doubled property-tax collections with digital tools, Ethiopia increased VAT revenue by almost 50%, and Sierra Leone raised tax payments by 20% by showing taxpayers what local services their taxes supported. This episode explores *Raising Revenue Right: A Roadmap for Domestic Resource Mobilization* and asks what makes tax systems work better. Through examples from Mexico, Ghana, Ethiopia, Argentina, and Sierra Leone, we examine how better diagnosis, technology, transparency, and trust can help governments raise revenue more efficiently, fairly, and sustainably. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/raising-revenue-right  
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  Episode 47 The Foundations: Are Governments Measuring What Matters? 16.08.2026 10мин

  Nearly 70% of the indicators used to assess public financial management reforms in Malawi measured changes in form—not whether the system actually worked. This episode, the second on the series from The Government Analytics Handbook, explores how misleading metrics can create an illusion of success and even harmful incentives. Learn how balanced data, qualitative evidence, leadership, and strong review routines can help governments turn analytics into better decisions and meaningful action. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics  
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  Episode 46 The Overview: Unlocking the Data Governments Already Have 15.08.2026 9мин

  $10 billion in annual savings. A potential 40% increase in tax revenue. A 32% greater chance of completing public projects. This episode explores how governments can unlock these gains by using the administrative data they already collect. Drawing on *The Government Analytics Handbook*, it examines how analytics can improve management, strengthen public services, identify fiscal risks, and turn existing records into better decisions.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics  
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  Episode 45 Can South Asia Stay as the World’s Fastest-Growing Region? 15.08.2026 9мин

  South Asia remains the world’s fastest-growing region, but growth is expected to slow from 7.0 percent in 2025 to 6.3 percent in 2026 as global energy disruptions create new pressures. This episode explores how trade reforms and industrial policy could shape the region’s next phase of growth. From India’s new trade agreements and Sri Lanka’s tariff reforms to targeted industrial policies, AI-related labor market shifts, and persistent regional wage gaps, we examine what governments can do to strengthen competitiveness, create jobs, and build resilience—while working within limited fiscal space. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/44482  
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  Episode 44 AI Is Ready—but Are Developing Countries? Insights from the World Development Report 2026 04.08.2026 9мин

  Nearly 1/3 of rural schools in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa lack reliable electricity, while more than two-thirds lack consistent internet access. This episode explores what developing countries need to turn AI’s potential into inclusive growth. Drawing on the World Development Report 2026, it examines why infrastructure, skills, data, and institutions matter—and how governments can act as enablers, users, and regulators of AI. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2026  
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  Episode 43 Monitoring, Managing, and Markets: Tools for Clean Air - Managing 02.08.2026 8мин

  Only 20 percent of monitored days met the WHO’s PM2.5 guideline—and children’s exposure varied sharply across cities, schools, homes, and commutes. This episode explores how personal sensors, GPS tracking, and socioeconomic data can reveal the hidden geography of air pollution. From paved school grounds that reduced exposure by 37.2 percent to the complex relationship between pollution and wealth, discover how more precise measurement can support cleaner and more equitable policies. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.Read more at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39797-4 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01254-x https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352186425005796 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(23)00261-4/fulltext  
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  Episode 42 Less Than a Dollar, Lasting Change: Building Growth Mindsets in Indonesia 11.07.2026 12мин

  For just $0.69 per student, a six-session program reached more than 2,000 schools in Indonesia. While it did not raise national exam scores, it strengthened students’ belief in effort, improved self-management habits, and created a more supportive classroom climate—especially in lower-performing schools. It also unexpectedly shifted teachers’ views of failure as a learning opportunity. This episode explores why education programs should be judged by more than test scores and how low-cost interventions can support more equitable classrooms. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/592601591155353057
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  Episode 41 The Institutions Behind the Switch: Who Keeps the Lights On in Africa? 03.07.2026 11мин

  Can countries escape the debt trap? As global growth slows to 2.5% and government debt in developing economies has climbed from under 40% to over 70% of GDP since 2010, policymakers face increasingly difficult choices. This episode explores the findings of the latest Global Economic Prospects, June 2026 report, examining why borrowing becomes more expensive as debt rises, how commodity-dependent economies remain vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles, and why strong institutions matter just as much as fiscal rules. Discover the practical lessons for building resilience, creating fiscal space, and supporting sustainable growth in an increasingly uncertain global economy.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.susannaberkouwer.com/WMHB_donorprocurement.pdf https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/73585fa4-6742-4a96-8f9a-ffc1c5b6b8fa https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fQPQAw4bACvJITv08UjpcRwKqeS3cXT_/view https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099912211102516982/pdf/IDU-8c8b805d-8bc2-47fe-853c-65967651a3a6.pdf  
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  Episode 40 Can Countries Escape the Debt Trap? Lessons from the Latest Global Outlook 27.06.2026 8мин

  Can countries escape the debt trap? As global growth slows to 2.5% and government debt in developing economies has climbed from under 40% to over 70% of GDP since 2010, policymakers face increasingly difficult choices. This episode explores the findings of the latest Global Economic Prospects, June 2026 report, examining why borrowing becomes more expensive as debt rises, how commodity-dependent economies remain vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles, and why strong institutions matter just as much as fiscal rules. Discover the practical lessons for building resilience, creating fiscal space, and supporting sustainable growth in an increasingly uncertain global economy.  Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/b5f5a90f-3229-482f-b8c5-d3c4e9ecbad5
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  Episode 39 How a WhatsApp Game Helped People Resist Health Misinformation 27.06.2026 10мин

  Health misinformation is now ranked among the world's 32 most severe global risks, with an estimated economic cost of US$78 billion in 2019. But what if governments could help people recognize misleading information before they encounter it? In this episode, we explore a randomized study from Jordan that tested a WhatsApp chatbot game designed to build resistance to health misinformation. We discuss why interactive "prebunking" outperformed passive information campaigns, how it improved people's ability to distinguish credible from misleading content, and what policymakers can learn about designing scalable digital interventions that strengthen public trust. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at: https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099227409302412051  
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  Episode 38 The Next Growth Model: How East Asia Can Thrive in an AI-Driven World 13.06.2026 8мин

  Global private investment in generative AI reached $34 billion in 2024, while AI-related exports account for 34% of GDP in Malaysia and 32% in Viet Nam. Yet growth in East Asia and Pacific is projected to slow from 5.0% in 2025 to 4.2% in 2026. In this episode, we explore how one of the world's most dynamic regions can sustain growth in an era of slowing productivity, rising trade uncertainty, and rapid technological change. Drawing on the East Asia and Pacific Economic Update 2026, we examine the opportunities and challenges of industrial policy in the digital age—from investing in human capital and opening services markets to supporting innovation while avoiding costly policy mistakes. We also discuss how AI is reshaping competitiveness and what governments can do to help firms and workers benefit from the next wave of growth. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/east-asia-and-pacific-economic-update  
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  Episode 37 When One Shipping Route Stops: The Global Shock Behind Rising Prices and Slower Growth 06.06.2026 10мин

  What happens when a single shipping route that carries a large share of the world's energy supply suddenly stops functioning? In March 2026, global oil supply fell by an estimated 10 million barrels per day—roughly one-tenth of world consumption—the largest oil supply shock on record. This episode examines how that disruption is projected to push commodity prices up 16 percent in 2026, slow growth in developing economies to 3.6 percent, and increase pressures on food systems, inflation, and global supply chains. We also explore what policymakers can do to strengthen resilience against future shocks. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/f3138644a1e8e2bb631399ae11d6c408-0050012026/original/CMO-April-2026.pdf  
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  Episode 36 The Return of Industrial Policy: What's Driving the Surge in Europe and Central Asia? 09.05.2026 11мин

  Europe and Central Asia has announced more than 2,600 industrial policies since 2009 — more than one new intervention every day for sixteen years. But have these policies actually delivered stronger growth, resilience, and diversification? In this episode, we unpack the findings of the World Bank’s Spring 2026 Europe and Central Asia Economic Update. From slowing growth and persistent inflation to rising subsidies and geopolitical pressures, the discussion explores why industrial policy has returned to the center of economic strategy across the region. The episode examines what tends to make industrial policy succeed, where it often fails, and why open trade, competitive markets, and structural reforms remain essential foundations for long-term growth. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f6424ef3-a279-4872-a77a-34cf01c4c8af/content
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  Episode 35 WDR2025 Mini Series: 3 How Do Standards Help Us Breathe Cleaner Air? 02.05.2026 11мин

  Ninety-nine percent of people worldwide breathe air that fails to meet safety standards. In this episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development mini series, we explore why standards alone are not enough—and what happens when enforcement, data, and capacity fall short.Drawing on Chapters 6–8, the episode unpacks the “compliance gap,” where strict rules exist on paper but fail in practice. We examine how weak monitoring systems leave governments unable to enforce air quality standards, how fragmented regulations shift pollution across borders, and how better-designed systems—from China’s coordinated reforms to Rwanda’s tiered standards—can deliver real results. The episode also looks beyond air, showing how standards shape public sector performance, service delivery, and global coordination in an increasingly complex world.Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025
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  Episode 34 Can Standards Make—or Break—Firms and Services? 25.04.2026 11мин

  47% fewer fatalities—just by using a simple surgical checklist. In this second episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development (WDR25) mini series, we explore how standards can make—or break—firms and the delivery of essential services. Drawing on Chapters 4 and 5 of the WDR25 report, we examine how the rise of technical regulations—now covering nearly 90% of global trade—has reshaped opportunities for firms while creating costly barriers. The episode also shows how the same standards shape health and education outcomes—from checklists that reduce fatalities to adaptive teaching models that double learning gains. We highlight how countries can lower compliance costs through domestic quality infrastructure and alignment, while adopting phased, process-oriented standards to expand access and improve service delivery. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025
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  Episode 33 How Can Standards Unlock or Block Development? 18.04.2026 10мин

  Two hundred thousand euros—sometimes more than a firm’s entire annual revenue—just to meet international standards. In this third episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development (WDR25) mni series, we explore how standards can either unlock growth or become costly barriers to trade.   Drawing on Chapters 1–3 of the WDR25 report, we unpack the “vicious circle of low quality,” where weak demand, limited capacity, and high compliance costs reinforce each other. The episode examines how governments can avoid copying overly ambitious rules without enforcement capacity and instead choose the right balance between voluntary and mandatory standards.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025
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  Episode 32 From Dialogue to Direction: AGORA 2025 on Rethinking Agriculture as a System in Africa 10.04.2026 8мин

  Africa imports $70–80 billion of food each year—even for products it could often produce competitively. This episode revisits dialogues held at AGORA 2025 to explore why. We examine a key shift: viewing agriculture not as a sector, but as a system shaped by markets, infrastructure, technology, finance, institutions and people. The discussion highlights the “hidden middle”—where much of the value addition and job creation actually happens—and why weak market linkages continue to limit impact. We also unpack persistent barriers, from financing gaps and climate risks to policy uncertainty, and what it takes to build more connected, functioning and resilient agrifood systems.  Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/7f05de3a99602388dce224151870a1b1-0050012026/original/AGORA-Takeaways-of-Agribusiness-Session.pdf
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  Episode 31 From Dialogue to Direction: What AGORA 2025 Revealed About Africa’s Energy Future 03.04.2026 11мин

  Over 600 million people in Africa still lack access to electricity—but as discussions at AGORA 2025 made clear, access alone is no longer enough. This episode reflects on key conversations from the inaugural Africa Growth and Opportunity: Research in Action (AGORA 2025) conference, where policymakers, researchers, and practitioners examined what it truly takes to power growth. At AGORA 25, participants explored a critical shift in thinking—from expanding connections to delivering reliable, affordable energy that enables firms to grow, create jobs, and drive competitiveness. The discussions highlighted a dual-track approach: continuing household electrification while prioritizing energy for productive use. But they also surfaced difficult trade-offs—around pricing, financing, governance, and political feasibility. The episode unpacks discussions around why institutional quality remains the make-or-break factor, how financing gaps can be addressed through reform, and what remains uncertain—from risk allocation to measuring real economic impact. Looking ahead, AGORA 2026 will build on these insights, turning dialogue into tested solutions and sustained partnerships. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/74c381a242831efd02d6b88d437401e7-0050012026/original/AGORA-Takeaways-of-Energy-Session.pdf
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  Episode 30 The Jobs Reinvention in Europe and Central Asia 27.03.2026 8мин

  By 2050, Europe and Central Asia will lose 17 million workers from its workforce — yet productivity growth has been stalled since 2008. This episode unpacks the demographic cliff threatening the region's prosperity and asks: how do you grow an economy when your labor force is shrinking? We explore why young SMEs generate nearly 40% of new jobs despite employing only 14% of workers, how an overqualification paradox leaves half the workforce underutilized, and why closing the AI gap is no longer optional. From reforming State-Owned Enterprises to mobilizing private capital, the roadmap for sustainable growth is clear — if policymakers act now. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eca/publication/europe-and-central-asia-economic-update