The World Bank's Role in Human Resource Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

The World Bank's Role in Human Resource Development in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Ronald Gene Ridker
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821328644
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 146

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Book Description
World Bank Discussion Paper 244. Although many studies have analyzed the gender gap in primary and secondary education in developing countries, this study is one of the few that analyzes the gap at the tertiary, or university level. The authors track the patterns in women's access to and achievement in higher education, including student enrollment and access to faculty and administrative positions. The study also identifies successful strategies and measures for reducing the gender gap. Two issues are examined in this paper. Part I reviews how women have fared in the wake of expanded tertiary enrollments over the past three decades. Despite evidence proving the importance of women's access to higher education for economic growth, a pervasive gap remains, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The second part examines the World Bank's experience in projects designed to improve women's experience in higher education. The extent and severity of constraints varied across regions. Results are limited and many projects are still in progress. The findings suggest that countries with low per capita income levels and difficult social settings for women may have the greatest barriers to female participation. Even where social constraints are less severe, the programs for improving female education must respond to the demands of the labor market.

The World Bank's Role in Human Resource Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

The World Bank's Role in Human Resource Development in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Ronald Gene Ridker
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821328644
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 146

Get Book Here

Book Description
World Bank Discussion Paper 244. Although many studies have analyzed the gender gap in primary and secondary education in developing countries, this study is one of the few that analyzes the gap at the tertiary, or university level. The authors track the patterns in women's access to and achievement in higher education, including student enrollment and access to faculty and administrative positions. The study also identifies successful strategies and measures for reducing the gender gap. Two issues are examined in this paper. Part I reviews how women have fared in the wake of expanded tertiary enrollments over the past three decades. Despite evidence proving the importance of women's access to higher education for economic growth, a pervasive gap remains, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The second part examines the World Bank's experience in projects designed to improve women's experience in higher education. The extent and severity of constraints varied across regions. Results are limited and many projects are still in progress. The findings suggest that countries with low per capita income levels and difficult social settings for women may have the greatest barriers to female participation. Even where social constraints are less severe, the programs for improving female education must respond to the demands of the labor market.

Capacity Building in Africa

Capacity Building in Africa PDF Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821362429
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 114

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Book Description
African countries need to improve the performance of their public sectors if they are going to achieve their goals of growth, poverty reduction, and the provision of better services for their citizens. Between 1995 and 2004, the Bank provided some $9 billion in lending and close to $900 million in grants and administrative budget to support public sector capacity building in Africa. This evaluation assesses Bank support for public sector capacity building in Africa over these past 10 years. It is based on six country studies, assessments of country strategies and operations across the Region, and review of the work of the World Bank Institute, the Institutional Development Fund, and the Bank-supported African Capacity Building Foundation.

Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa

Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Deon Filmer
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 146480107X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 283

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Book Description
"The series is sponsored by the Agence Francaise de Developpement and the World Bank."

Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: World Bank
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
3. Investing in people.

The Global Findex Database 2017

The Global Findex Database 2017 PDF Author: Asli Demirguc-Kunt
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464812683
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
In 2011 the World Bank—with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—launched the Global Findex database, the world's most comprehensive data set on how adults save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. Drawing on survey data collected in collaboration with Gallup, Inc., the Global Findex database covers more than 140 economies around the world. The initial survey round was followed by a second one in 2014 and by a third in 2017. Compiled using nationally representative surveys of more than 150,000 adults age 15 and above in over 140 economies, The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring Financial Inclusion and the Fintech Revolution includes updated indicators on access to and use of formal and informal financial services. It has additional data on the use of financial technology (or fintech), including the use of mobile phones and the Internet to conduct financial transactions. The data reveal opportunities to expand access to financial services among people who do not have an account—the unbanked—as well as to promote greater use of digital financial services among those who do have an account. The Global Findex database has become a mainstay of global efforts to promote financial inclusion. In addition to being widely cited by scholars and development practitioners, Global Findex data are used to track progress toward the World Bank goal of Universal Financial Access by 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The database, the full text of the report, and the underlying country-level data for all figures—along with the questionnaire, the survey methodology, and other relevant materials—are available at www.worldbank.org/globalfindex.

World Development Report 2019

World Development Report 2019 PDF Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464813566
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 201

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Book Description
Work is constantly reshaped by technological progress. New ways of production are adopted, markets expand, and societies evolve. But some changes provoke more attention than others, in part due to the vast uncertainty involved in making predictions about the future. The 2019 World Development Report will study how the nature of work is changing as a result of advances in technology today. Technological progress disrupts existing systems. A new social contract is needed to smooth the transition and guard against rising inequality. Significant investments in human capital throughout a person’s lifecycle are vital to this effort. If workers are to stay competitive against machines they need to train or retool existing skills. A social protection system that includes a minimum basic level of protection for workers and citizens can complement new forms of employment. Improved private sector policies to encourage startup activity and competition can help countries compete in the digital age. Governments also need to ensure that firms pay their fair share of taxes, in part to fund this new social contract. The 2019 World Development Report presents an analysis of these issues based upon the available evidence.

Africa's Infrastructure

Africa's Infrastructure PDF Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821380834
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 386

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Book Description
Sustainable infrastructure development is vital for Africa s prosperity. And now is the time to begin the transformation. This volume is the culmination of an unprecedented effort to document, analyze, and interpret the full extent of the challenge in developing Sub-Saharan Africa s infrastructure sectors. As a result, it represents the most comprehensive reference currently available on infrastructure in the region. The book covers the five main economic infrastructure sectors information and communication technology, irrigation, power, transport, and water and sanitation. 'Africa s Infrastructure: A Time for Transformation' reflects the collaboration of a wide array of African regional institutions and development partners under the auspices of the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa. It presents the findings of the Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD), a project launched following a commitment in 2005 by the international community (after the G8 summit at Gleneagles, Scotland) to scale up financial support for infrastructure development in Africa. The lack of reliable information in this area made it difficult to evaluate the success of past interventions, prioritize current allocations, and provide benchmarks for measuring future progress, hence the need for the AICD. Africa s infrastructure sectors lag well behind those of the rest of the world, and the gap is widening. Some of the main policy-relevant findings highlighted in the book include the following: infrastructure in the region is exceptionally expensive, with tariffs being many times higher than those found elsewhere. Inadequate and expensive infrastructure is retarding growth by 2 percentage points each year. Solving the problem will cost over US$90 billion per year, which is more than twice what is being spent in Africa today. However, money alone is not the answer. Prudent policies, wise management, and sound maintenance can improve efficiency, thereby stretching the infrastructure dollar. There is the potential to recover an additional US$17 billion a year from within the existing infrastructure resource envelope simply by improving efficiency. For example, improved revenue collection and utility management could generate US$3.3 billion per year. Regional power trade could reduce annual costs by US$2 billion. And deregulating the trucking industry could reduce freight costs by one-half. So, raising more funds without also tackling inefficiencies would be like pouring water into a leaking bucket. Finally, the power sector and fragile states represent particular challenges. Even if every efficiency in every infrastructure sector could be captured, a substantial funding gap of $31 billion a year would remain. Nevertheless, the African people and economies cannot wait any longer. Now is the time to begin the transformation to sustainable development.

Which Way to Livable and Productive Cities?

Which Way to Livable and Productive Cities? PDF Author: Kirsten Hommann
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464814058
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 59

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Book Description
For African cities to grow economically as they have grown in size, they must create productive environments to attract investments, increase economic efficiency, and create livable environments that prevent urban costs from rising with increased population densification. What are the central obstacles that prevent African cities and towns from becoming sustainable engines of economic growth and prosperity? Among the most critical factors that limit the growth and livability of urban areas are land markets, investments in public infrastructure and assets, and the institutions to enable both. To unleash the potential of African cities and towns for delivering services and employment in a livable and environmentally friendly environment, a sequenced approach is needed to reform institutions and policies and to target infrastructure investments. This book lays out three foundations that need fixing to guide cities and towns throughout Sub-Saharan Africa on their way to productivity and livability.

FinTech in Sub-Saharan African Countries

FinTech in Sub-Saharan African Countries PDF Author: Mr.Amadou N Sy
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1484385667
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 61

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Book Description
FinTech is a major force shaping the structure of the financial industry in sub-Saharan Africa. New technologies are being developed and implemented in sub-Saharan Africa with the potential to change the competitive landscape in the financial industry. While it raises concerns on the emergence of vulnerabilities, FinTech challenges traditional structures and creates efficiency gains by opening up the financial services value chain. Today, FinTech is emerging as a technological enabler in the region, improving financial inclusion and serving as a catalyst for the emergence of innovations in other sectors, such as agriculture and infrastructure.

The World Bank

The World Bank PDF Author: Devesh Kapur
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
ISBN: 9780815720126
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 1310

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Book Description
This effort constitutes the most comprehensive and authoritative work to date on the history of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or the World Bank. Author-editors John Lewis, Richard Webb, and Devesh Kapur chronicle the evolution of this institution and offer insights into its successes, failures, and prospects for the future. The result of their intense labors is an invaluable resource for other researchers and a fascinating study in its own right. The work is divided into two volumes. The first is organized thematically and examines the critical events and policy issues in the World Bank's development over the last fifty years. Chapter topics include poverty alleviation, structural adjustment lending, environmental programs, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Development Association (IDA), and the evolution of the Bank as an institution. The second volume contains case studies written by experts with experience in the various regions in which the Bank operates. There are chapters on the Bank's activities in Korea, Mexico, Africa, South Asia, and Eastern Europe. Volume 2 also contains essays on the World Bank's relationship with the United States, Japan, and Western Europe, and its partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). By special arrangement, the authors have had wide-ranging access to confidential documents at the World Bank, making this work a unique source of information on the internal workings of this critical institution. They have also drawn on extensive interviews with current and past Bank officials. Moreover, publication could not be more timely, coming as it does when many in the development community and in the U.S. Congress are questioning the Bank's track record and even its reason for existence. The World Bank: Its First Half Century will be of great interest not only to development practitioners but also to students of international relations, development economics, and global finance. During the course of the project, John P. Lewis and Richard Webb were nonresident senior fellows, and Devesh Kapur was a program associate, in the Foreign Policy Studies program at the Brookings Institution.