World Bank case studies
The
following is a selection of the development projects funded by the World Bank
in 2007/8.
Conflict management
The World Bank gave the Democratic Republic of Congo $50 million in grants to support the demobilisation of up to 150,000 ex-combatants and support their transition to civilian life. Another part of the project helps the government reallocate resources from the military to social and economic programmes that benefit the poor.
Education
The World Bank made a $600 million loan as part of the Second Elementary Education Project for India. This national scheme, led by the Government of India, is supported by a number of donors including $375 million from DFID. The aim is to increase the number of 6-14 year olds regularly attending school. Activities include the establishment, construction and extension of primary and upper primary schools and the funding of teachers and free text books.
The World Bank gave Azerbaijan a $25 million loan to support education
and learning. Activities include engaging teachers and students in a new
curriculum; developing new learning materials and school libraries, and
modernising in-service teacher training. The project will also build a new
evaluation and assessment culture in Azerbaijan.
Another major World Bank investment was a $300 million loan to
Colombia designed to increase the enrolment and graduation rates of students
attending universities and colleges, particularly those from economically
disadvantaged backgrounds. The loan will provide student grants to talented but needy
students and help Colombian authorities and higher education institutions
support students and expand access.
Environment
The World Bank gave $95.5 million to support the Ghana Energy
Development and Access project to provide grants to developers of renewable
energy. These projects include the development of hydropower, wind, and biomass
energy and are
designed to benefit communities outside the main national grid system.
The World Bank approved $200 million for the Energy Efficiency Financing project in
China. This aims to improve the energy efficiency of medium-sized and
large industrial enterprises by demonstrating how greater efficiency can
be achieved. It will also support energy conservation projects and the
government’s capacity to implement industrial energy efficiency policies and
programs.
Gender
The World Bank continued to work to reduce gender inequalities. In a project funded jointly with Germany, The Netherlands and the UK, a $20 million loan was provided to the Government of Yemen to improve access to secondary education for girls. The funds will upgrade and furnish school facilities and provide learning equipment and materials alongside support for policy development, planning and evaluation.
Governance
The World Bank provided
$430 million to Liberia to underpin its economic recovery and enable
it to access new lending and investment from the Bank Group. The funds will also
support the government’s efforts to strengthen public institutions, increase
financial control and reduce corruption.
The World Bank provided a $100 million loan to Lebanon to increase fiscal sustainability, enhance growth,
and deepen social reforms. The project has a particular emphasis on energy
sector reform and reducing government subsidies. This should free up scarce
public resources to support economic growth and reduce poverty. The objective is
also to ensure industrial and household consumers enjoy a more
reliable electricity supply.
Infrastructure
The World Bank approved a $330 million loan for the Federal Roads Development Project in Nigeria. This should reduce passenger travel times, vehicle operating costs, and traffic-related fatalities by rehabilitating major roads. It will also assist the federal government to manage Nigeria's main roads in a sustainable manner.
Water and sanitation
The World Bank provided a $150 million loan to Kenya to increase access to a sustainable water supply and sanitation services and to improve water and wastewater services. Major activities include the rehabilitation and expansion of existing water supply and sewerage systems and the construction of new water treatment works in Nairobi and in selected small towns.
Last updated: 30 December 2008
