Views from the Center
Stephan Klasen Postdoctoral Fellowships for the Global South
Last week, the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Göttingen posted a call for two postdoctoral fellowships in honor of Stephan Klasen, a development economist who has written extensively about gender inequality in the Global South. The fellowships celebrate a truly distinguished economist and a wonderful human being whose career has been cut short by illness but whose contributions to economics are enduring.
The World Bank is Evaluating Doing Business. Here Are Some Questions It Should be Asking
The World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group has begun an evaluation of one of the Bank’s flagship products—Doing Business. Here, I present four issues that I believe must underpin all aspects of the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) evaluation.
IFC Must Implement the Recommendations of its External Accountability Review
In late July, we had called for the immediate release of the IFC/MIGA report, and we are pleased that the report has now been disclosed. The review is comprehensive and exposes serious problems in IFC/MIGA’s accountability system that have led to its dysfunction. The process for implementing reforms should be open and transparent and should address the following shortcomings:
Time for a New—or Old—Development Finance Model
We need to move forward—or backward—in what we expect development finance institutions (DFIs) to do in terms of financing private sector development in the world’s poorest countries.
IFC Must Release the Results of its Accountability Review
In the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Jam v. IFC, which centered around harm to farming and fishing communities caused by Tata Mundra, a coal plant financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The IFC’s board has yet to release the final report. It must do so now.
Making the International Finance Corporation Relevant
Philippe Le Houerou, the Chief Executive of the IFC has announced his intention to step down in September. His legacy will include a significant effort to focus the work of the corporation on development impact and the world’s poorest countries. Le Houerou has had some success. But a look at IFC’s portfolio suggests how far the institution still has to go to have the biggest impact.
Nigeria's Tech Sector May Be Booming, but Where Are the Women?
The participation of women in the Nigerian tech sector is low. In a survey of tech firms conducted by the ONE Campaign and the Center for Global Development, only about 30 percent were owned by women, mostly concentrated in e-commerce and enterprise solutions. Of women-owned firms, the median share of ownership is 20 percent. Tech firms do not employ many women either—31 firms in our sample employ no women at all. The median value is two female employees per firm.
How Tough Is It to Be a Tech Entrepreneur in Nigeria? Results from a New Survey
A new survey of Nigerian tech firms from CGD and the ONE Campaign brings new data on the challenges and opportunities for the tech sector.
IFC’s Accountability Review Is Welcome but Must Translate to Action
International Finance Corporation CEO Philippe Le Houerou announced that the IFC’s board will undertake a review of its accountability mechanisms, including the office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman. The announcement is timely. By initiating a review, IFC’s Board is taking the first step toward a more transparent and accountable operating structure.
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