Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact

What if equality isn’t just the right thing to do—but the most effective path to growth? This episode explores new evidence from the African Center for Economic Transformation showing how closing gender gaps in access to land, finance, and care work drives productivity and resilience across economies. From rural farms to national policy, we uncover how empowering women unleashes a powerful “gender dividend” — fueling inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is drying up, and the implications are global. This episode unpacks the World Bank’s report Foreign Direct Investment in Retreat: Policies to Turn the Tide, revealing why capital flows to developing countries have fallen to half their 2008 peak. We explore how trade openness, stronger institutions, and human capital can turn every investment dollar into growth—and why treaties, trust, and stability now matter more than ever. As old tools fade and new risks rise, learn how countries can rebuild confidence, attract smarter capital, and reignite development.

Why do people pay taxes? The answer is more complex than just laws and penalties. This episode dives into the behavioral science behind tax compliance, revealing how governments can achieve staggering results without new legislation. We break down three key strategies: the "nudge" targeting individual choices, the "budge" that shifts societal culture, and the "trudge" that focuses on motivating the system from within. Learn how these psychological tools are building more effective, trusted, and efficient tax systems around the world. 

Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of development, and since 2011, the Global Findex Database has been the definitive source of data on the ways in which adults around the world access and use financial services. The 2025 edition introduces a new component that measures access to and use of mobile technology. Combined with financial inclusion data, it offers a holistic view of how mobile infrastructure is expanding access to financial services and improving economic resilience. From smartphone use to savings, on this episode we explore how technology is shaping financial inclusion, and where progress is still needed. 

Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of development, and since 2011, the Global Findex Database has been the definitive source of data on the ways in which adults around the world access and use financial services. The 2025 edition introduces a new component that measures access to and use of mobile technology. Combined with financial inclusion data, it offers a holistic view of how mobile infrastructure is expanding access to financial services and improving economic resilience. From smartphone use to savings, on this episode we explore how technology is shaping financial inclusion, and where progress is still needed. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

In this episode, we explore key insights from the World Bank World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies. With over 184 million people living outside their country of nationality—nearly half in low- and middle-income countries—the report highlights how migration, if managed well, can be a positive force for development, bringing benefits for migrants as well as origin and destination countries. Tune in as we unpack the report’s integrated framework built around the “match and motive” matrix, which helps policymakers tailor migration strategies to the skills and motivations of migrants. From demographic shifts to economic integration and brain drain, we discuss how migration can be a force for prosperity.

In this episode, we explore key insights from the World Bank World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies. With over 184 million people living outside their country of nationality—nearly half in low- and middle-income countries—the report highlights how migration, if managed well, can be a positive force for development, bringing benefits for migrants as well as origin and destination countries. Tune in as we unpack the report’s integrated framework built around the “match and motive” matrix, which helps policymakers tailor migration strategies to the skills and motivations of migrants. From demographic shifts to economic integration and brain drain, we discuss how migration can be a force for prosperity.

Rising trade tensions and ongoing policy uncertainty are threatening to slow global growth to its weakest pace since 2008—outside of outright global recessions. In this episode, we unpack why growth forecasts have dropped for nearly 70% of economies worldwide, spanning all regions and income levels. Join us for an in-depth look at the policies, priorities, and practical actions that countries can take to mobilize domestic revenues, protect vulnerable households, and boost jobs and productivity.
Read the report on our website.
 

Rising trade tensions and ongoing policy uncertainty are threatening to slow global growth to its weakest pace since 2008—outside of outright global recessions. In this episode, we unpack why growth forecasts have dropped for nearly 70% of economies worldwide, spanning all regions and income levels. Join us for an in-depth look at the policies, priorities, and practical actions that countries can take to mobilize domestic revenues, protect vulnerable households, and boost jobs and productivity.
Read the report on our website.
Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

In this episode, we dive into the World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives and explore data's potential to drive development and improve lives. Join us as we unpack the report’s call for a new social contract on data to boost innovation and inclusion, protect privacy and trust, and ensure that the benefits of data are shared equitably. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.