Development Research Group

The Journal of International Economics, Banque de France, Centre for Economic Policy Research, World Bank, and University of Surrey invite submissions for the inaugural edition of the International Seminar on Trade (ISoT), which will take place May 5-6, 2025 in Washington, DC at the World Bank. ISoT focuses on recent advances in empirical, theoretical, and quantitative international trade. The organizers also welcome papers in closely related fields if they include a significant international trade component. Submissions are due by January 24, 2025.

Sub-Saharan Africa has shown significant growth in financial inclusion over the past decade, driven by mobile money account adoption as well as by efforts by governments and financial institutions to promote bank account opening. In a recent series of notes, the Global Findex team explores the data on financial inclusion and usage in Sub-Saharan Africa, and how having an account affects wellbeing and resilience for African adults.

The inaugural edition of Research Insights explores how India’s public works program, MNREGA, successfully reduced groundwater depletion, how a large-scale preschool construction initiative in Mozambique is boosting enrollment and educational outcomes, and how electoral turnover is improving service delivery in Indonesian villages. Research Insights aims to bridge the gap between complex research and practical application, fostering informed decision-making and effective policy design.

Climate finance is essential for dealing with global warming, but effectively scaling up investments requires understanding how financial markets interact with these regulations and addressing barriers like greenwashing and misaligned incentives. In this Policy Research Talk, Development Research Group economist Federica Zeni highlighted new research insights that can help global stakeholders design better regulatory and financial mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable investments.