Development Research Group

The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), the University of Ghana-Legon, and the World Bank announce a competitive call for papers and participation in a two-day policy research workshop to be held on November 11-12, 2025. We invite you to submit empirical papers that delve into the critical barriers to, as well as the opportunities to promote, women's economic participation. Priority will be given to research that studies policy solutions tailored to the unique economic landscapes of Africa to spur economic growth. 

📅 Submission deadline: June 30, 2025

To foster academic dialogue relevant on industrial policy for Africa, the World Bank Institute for Economic Development, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), the Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) Program, and the International Growth Center (IGC) are convening a research conference in Nairobi, Kenya on February 16-18, 2026. 

The organizers invite abstract submissions for research paper presentations on any issue pertaining to industrial policy. 

📅 Submission deadline: July 30, 2025

Over 1,000 senior Cambodian officials have completed the Leadership and Innovation Program, transforming how reforms are led across government. Rooted in Building State Capability by Matt Andrews, Lant Pritchett, and Michael Woolcock, the program equips leaders with practical tools like adaptive leadership, communication, conflict management, Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA), and cross-sector collaboration.

Designed locally with World Bank support, now the program is expanding beyond senior officials. The next phase will include school principals and health facility directors, broadening its impact on education and healthcare delivery.

Without sufficient capital, even the most promising businesses struggle to grow, hire, or innovate. This edition brings together four recent studies on how targeted interventions can help close this financial gap for small and medium enterprises (SME) and entrepreneurs.

At the center is a meta-analysis of 24 rigorous studies conducted across the globe, which finds that formal loans significantly boost job creation, sales, and profits across SMEs.

This is complemented by studies in Ecuador, Tunisia, and Bangladesh that examine how specific programs, and alternative strategies address financial constraints for entrepreneurs.