Development
AfDB, Rwandan banks discuss closing trade finance gap
African Development Bank Group met nearly all Rwandan commercial banks in Kigali on 5 October to discuss expanding trade finance access and partnership options.
Across the meridian
New reports, clear context. Ordered by the date of the source report.
Sustainability
UNDP Trains 20 Nigerian Innovators to Scale Plastic Pollution Solutions
UNDP launched a three-day training for 20 Nigerian innovators under the Global Plastics Innovation Programme to help them scale solutions to plastic pollution.
Emerging Markets
IFC and EDP invest $301m in Mexico solar and Brazil grid
IFC announced two investments totaling $301 million with EDP for a 200MW solar plant in Mexico and grid upgrades in Brazil.
Development
World Bank cites 800 million job gap for 1.2 billion young people
World Bank President Ajay Banga told the 2026 Annual Meetings that 1.2 billion young people will reach the job market while only about 400 million jobs are projected.
Development
Eight Countries Launch Mineral Compacts to Spur Jobs and Growth
Argentina, Bolivia, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Malawi, Mauritania and Zambia set targets to turn mineral wealth into jobs with World Bank Group support.
Infrastructure
ADB pledges disaster resilience support to Thailand and $200m Uzbekistan power loan
ADB President Masato Kanda met Thailand's prime minister in Bangkok and signed a $200 million loan with Uzbekistan to modernize electricity distribution.
Development
World Bank seeks $654m for Southeast Asia vaccine manufacturing
World Bank Group aims to mobilise $654m for Southeast Asian vaccine manufacturing and adds seven countries to its Tokyo-based UHC Knowledge Hub.
Sustainability
African Ministers Adopt Maputo Communiqué on Disaster Resilience Financing
African ministers adopt a communiqué in Maputo on financing disaster prevention, as a report shows 719 disasters and $9.8bn in losses in 2023–2024.
Development
AfDB prices EUR 1 billion 5-year social benchmark due 2031
African Development Bank priced a EUR 1 billion 5-year social bond at 3.500% coupon, due October 2031, with proceeds for eligible social projects in Africa.
Development
Moldova: Nistru pollution losses at €2.33m, recovery needs until 2031
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment puts Nistru River pollution losses at €2.33 million, with about 200,000 people affected or at risk of water supply disruption.
Development
World Bank and Japan launch first DRIVE energy resilience project in Asia
IFC and JICA back a Singapore-based fund targeting $750 million for cleaner energy and efficiency projects across Southeast and South Asia.
Sustainability
Lebanon launches $20m climate-smart agriculture grants facility
Lebanon's agriculture ministry, CDR and UNDP, with World Bank funding, launched a $20m grants facility for farmers and cooperatives, with applications due 3 November 2026.
Emerging Markets
Germany adds €5m to UNDP Lebanon programme for LAF support
Germany gives UNDP an extra €5 million for Lebanon, funding rubble and ordnance removal equipment and food, health, education and housing aid for soldiers' families.
Development
World Bank Adds $93 Million to Ebola Response in DRC and Region
World Bank adds $80 million for Ebola response in DRC and $13 million for preparedness in 11 regional countries, citing faster detection times.
Infrastructure
ADB Approves $302 Million Loan to Modernize Baku Metro Signaling
ADB has approved a $302.38 million loan to modernize Baku Metro's signaling and digitalize operations, part of Azerbaijan's $2.6 billion metro expansion.
Development
Africa disaster losses rise as Maputo summit weighs $6.3bn resilience plans
African Union and Mozambique host a Maputo conference on disaster risk reduction, with two SADC regional investment proposals totalling $6.3bn under discussion.
Development
EBRD Board to Visit North Macedonia, Meet Officials and Clients
EBRD Board representatives will visit North Macedonia from 12 to 16 October 2026 to meet government, business and civil-society groups and EBRD clients.
Development
UNDP runs WTO accession training for Turkmenistan officials
UNDP and Turkmenistan's finance ministry held practical WTO accession training from 5 to 14 October 2026, funded and backed by Russian experts.
Development
UNDP Forum in Ulaanbaatar Focuses on Women's Influence in Decision-Making
UNDP Mongolia joined the World Women Parliamentarians' Forum in Ulaanbaatar to discuss translating women's representation into influence in public decision-making.
Sustainability
Kyrgyz Youth Conference Advances National Climate Priorities
LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2026 gathered youth, officials and UNDP ahead of COP31, with a Climate Youth Statement planned to feed into national climate talks.
Development
AfDB backs Somalia's shift from aid to private sector-led development finance
African Development Bank says it supports Somalia's move to private sector-led growth as the country's development bank signs first microfinance agreements.
Development
AfDB and IMF discuss Mali economy and $800m strategy in Bamako
African Development Bank and IMF officials met in Bamako to review Mali's economic outlook and a five-year strategy targeting $800 million in financing by 2031.
Development
World Bank Report Examines How Higher Revenues Reshaped Nigerian State Spending
World Bank Nigeria Development Update finds real GDP grew 4.2% in first half of 2026 and examines how higher revenues changed state spending priorities.
Infrastructure
ADB Approves $305.75 Million to Upgrade Nepal Highways and Protect Wildlife
ADB approves $305.75 million to widen Nepal highways and build wildlife crossings, including an elevated section over the Barandabhar corridor.