Laying the Groundwork for Jobs in Africa © 2026 The World Bank Group,

The conference on 'Laying the Groundwork for Jobs in Africa: Core Infrastructure & Business Environments' is being held in Rome at Palazzo Koch, Italy. World Bank Live Replays Banco Mundial 1/251 © 2026 The World Bank Group,

Current Deficits in Nutrition, Learning, and On-the-Job Skills Are Costing Children Born Today Half of Their Future Earnings © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/12/nigeria-human-capital-nutrition-learning-skills-deficits-reduce-future-earnings ABUJA, February 12, 2026— Current deficits in health, education, and skill development at work are costing low- and middle-income countries 51% of their future labor earnings, according to a new World Bank Group report released today. In Nigeria, existing deficits are costing 111% of future earnings. Over the past 15 years, even as incomes have risen and poverty has declined, two-thirds of low- and middle-income countries have experienced declines in nutrition, learning, or workforce skills. For example, in Nigeria student test scores have remained stagnant. In 2025, these scores are one point below those of 2010. Reversing these deficits will require a new approach to human capital investments. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

Women’s Economic-Opportunity Laws Only Half-Enforced Globally This page in:English Français العربية 中文 Español © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/24/women-s-economic-opportunity-laws-only-half-enforced-globally Only 4% of women worldwide live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality WASHINGTON, February 24, 2026—Laws designed to ensure equal economic opportunities for women are only half-enforced on average across the world, indicating that the barriers that keep women from contributing fully to growth and prosperity are far steeper than previously thought, according to a new report from the World Bank Group. Even if the laws were fully enforced, women would still enjoy barely two-thirds of the legal rights of men. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

World Bank Backs South Africa’s Credit Guarantee Vehicle to Enable Infrastructure Finance and Boost Job Creation © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/05/world-bank-backs-south-africas-credit-guarantee-vehicle-to-enable-infrastructure-finance-and-boost-job-creation PRETORIA, March 5, 2026 — South Africa’s efforts to accelerate infrastructure investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth have received a major boost with the World Bank Board of Executive Directors’ approval of the South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program. The program establishes a new Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV) to help mobilize private capital for resilient infrastructure, with the World Bank—alongside national and international development partners—supporting South Africa’s reform agenda. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

TRANSFORMING TRANSPORTATION 2026 Powering Jobs & Growth Join the opening session on March 10 8:45-10:15 a.m. EDT (local time) © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/transforming-transportation How can transport systems create jobs, support growth, and reach more people? During Transforming Transportation 2026, experts will share practical examples of how smarter, safer, and more sustainable transport investments can boost productivity, strengthen resilience, and advance climate goals. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

ECOWAS Mobile Phone Data for Statistics Workshop © 2026 The World Bank Group,

ECOWAS Mobile Phone Data for Statistics Workshop https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2026/02/04/ecowas-mobile-phone-data-for-statistics-workshop#tabs-ce9a285c8c-item-5ee986a316-tab The workshop will gather over two-dozen technical stakeholders to launch an ECOWAS Technical Working Group on Mobile Phone Data for Policy. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

What is Women, Business and the Law © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://wbl.worldbank.org/en/wbl The World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) is a global benchmarking project that measures how laws, regulations, and policies shape women’s economic opportunities and private sector development across 190 economies. WBL data and analysis guide countries in identifying opportunities for reforms that unlock women’s economic potential and drive job creation and economic growth. © 2026 The World Bank Group,