Fast Delivery Without Roots: Hard Lessons from the Collapse of the DRC Social Fund Jordi Gallego-AyalaSiv Tokle May 04, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/dev4peace/fast-delivery-without-roots--hard-lessons-from-the-collapse-of-t What happens when you wake up one morning to discover that the institution responsible for delivering your country's social protection portfolio no longer exists — and yet programs must keep moving? In late April 2023, this question became real for us on the social protection team in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Without prior communication, news reports revealed that the Fonds Social de la République Démocratique du Congo (FSRDC) — the country's main platform for delivering social assistance — was dissolved by presidential ordinance. The information reached our team, and even FSRDC's own management, only days later. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

Two grandmothers, contrasting experiences: The digital finance opportunity for aging Asia Leora KlapperFiona Stewart May 05, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/two-grandmothers--contrasting-experiences--the-digital-finance-o Picture two grandmothers, both in their late sixties, heading to their local market on a Monday morning. One in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, taps her phone to pay for vegetables, checks her government pension in an app, and heads home. The other, in Manila, counts out banknotes, as she has done her whole life. Her phone, if she has one, stays in her pocket. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

Commodity prices rose in April—Pink Sheet John BaffesMaria Hazel Macadangdang May 05, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/commodity-prices-rose-in-april-pink-sheet The energy price index rose 12.1% in April, driven largely by crude oil (+8.7%). The non-energy price index increased 3.2%. Agricultural prices gained 1.5% in April, led by food prices (+1.5%); raw materials rose 2.5%, while beverage prices edged up 0.4%. Fertilizer prices surged 14% Metals edged up 1.4% in April, led by aluminum (+6.7%), zinc (+5.7%), and nickel (+5.2%). Precious metals fell 2.7%, weighed down by a decline in gold (-2.8%). © 2026 The World Bank Group,

From IT outsourcing hub to startup ecosystem: Four catalysts behind Romania's venture capital transformation Liliana OlarteMatteo VidiriDavide Strusani May 05, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/psd/it-outsourcing-hub-to-startup-ecosystem-romania-venture-capital- Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, Romania was known more as an IT outsourcing destination than a startup hub. Its talent base was strong, but the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem remained nascent, with venture capital activity lagging regional peers well into 2015. Over the following decade, the landscape changed dramatically: cumulative venture capital (VC) investment rose from less than $1 million between 2011 and 2015 to an annual average of $84 million between 2021 and 2024. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

The case for investing in the Global Financing Facility: Partnering to scale lifesaving care Mamta Murthi May 06, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/voices/the-case-for-investing-in-the-global-financing-facility-partnering-to-scale-lifesaving-care Nearly 5 million children die each year—9 every minute. Every day, around 700 women die from pregnancy-related causes, 90 percent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Most of these deaths are preventable. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

Pollution and Productivity Patrick Behrer May 06, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/impactevaluations/pollution-and-productivity The adverse impacts of air pollution on human health are large and well-documented. Pollution is the single largest environmental threat to human health and generates significant excess mortality around the world. This is especially true in LMICs where pollution levels are highest and getting worse the fastest. © 2026 The World Bank Group,

Strait of Hormuz disruption sends oil prices surging Paolo AgnolucciNikita MakarenkoKaltrina Temaj May 07, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/strait-of-hormuz-disruption-sends-oil-prices-surging This blog post is part of a special series based on the April 2026 Commodity Markets Outlook, a flagship report published by the World Bank. This series features concise summaries of commodity-specific sections extracted from the report. Oil prices surged sharply after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East and the near-total disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. By the end of March, the Brent price had increased by about 65 percent ($46/bbl) to record its highest monthly rise ever, amid pronounced volatility. Prices eased somewhat in early April after the announcement of a temporary ceasefire. Since then, the movement of oil prices have reflected uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and United States to end the conflict and restore regional oil flows. This uncertainty has persisted amid a blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas. © 2026 The World Bank Group,