Publications

Jul 28, 2021

The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Subnational Governments in Emerging Markets: The Outlook One Year On

Subnational governments in emerging market cities have undoubtedly felt the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis. Cities have been at the forefront of the pandemic, given both the impact it has had on their budgets and their citizens, and their central role in managing it. In our October 2020 note, we shared thoughts on what the crisis could mean for cities. More than a year after the crisis first hit, we now project gradual recovery for subnational governments in the second half of 2021 and 2022. This should support investment and lending activity by development finance institutions (DFIs) to help address infrastructure needs globally.

English | 5 pages | IFC 2021

Jul 19, 2021

Creating Markets in Malawi: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Malawi Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) provides IFC & World Bank analysis of growth and investment opportunities, constraints, & policy recommendations for private sector development.

English | 129 pages | 2021 IFC

Jun 30, 2021

Strategy for Sustainable Hydropower Development in the Jhelum Poonch River Basin Pakistan

The strategy for sustainable hydropower development described in this document aims to balance conservation and development as well as minimize the negative environmental and social impacts of hydropower projects in the basin.

334 pages | © June 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Jun 17, 2021

Enabling A Competitive Mobile Sector in Emerging Markets Through the Development of Tower Companies

Sharing mobile network infrastructure through specialized companies called towercos is a business model with the potential to accelerate access to quality mobile connectivity for individuals and businesses in emerging markets. A significant number of developing countries have yet to adopt this model, however, and many others continue to struggle with competition issues within their tower markets. This note provides the rationale and policy options for a light regulatory regime that can enable the entry and sustainable development of a dynamic market for towercos in emerging markets. The note also discusses the evolution of the towerco model into small cells and distributed antenna systems, both of which help enable high-speed mobile connectivity technologies like 4G and 5G.

English | 8 pages—June—Note 104 | IFC 2021

Jun 3, 2021

The Power of Batteries to Expand Renewable Energy in Emerging Markets

The global power and transportation sectors of the future will be fundamentally different from today, igniting opportunities for investment in new technologies that can bolster resilience and lower carbon emissions. One of those key technologies is batteries, which are creating increasingly compelling solutions for storing and distributing renewable energy.

Jun 3, 2021

Hydrogen's New Horizon— Scaling Up Clean Hydrogen for the Power Sector

EMERGING ENERGY SOLUTIONS A series on emerging energy trends and opportunities from IFC

Jun 3, 2021

Emerging Energy Solutions

Emerging Energy Solutions

Apr 28, 2021

Enabling Private Investment in 5G Connectivity in Emerging Markets—An Assessment of Challenges and Policy Options

This note proposes a high-level framework to assess challenges and policy options to enabling private sector-led investment in 5G connectivity in emerging markets. 5G is the latest mobile network technology and it has the potential to provide high-speed Internet connectivity and enable digital transformation across multiple sectors of an economy. The proposed framework leverages industry data to articulate the digital divide and benchmark the enabling environment for 5G connectivity in emerging markets. The note concludes with recommendations on policy options and business strategies, drawing from early experiences in advanced markets and major opportunities and challenges in emerging markets.

English | 8 pages — April —Note 102 | IFC 2021

Apr 15, 2021

Gender-Responsive Training Methods: A Guidance Note

This Guidance Note highlights how training initiatives can respond to women and men’s different needs and learning preferences. It is intended to strengthen the skills and practice of training providers who run technical business courses for entrepreneurs—whether face to face, or virtually.

Jan 21, 2021

Mining Royalties Data in Colombia: Data at Work for the Voice of the People

IFC presents a set of recommendations for governments, industry and civil society aimed at improving data disclosure and use practices of mining royalty data to provide citizens with complete, relevant and actionable information.

Jan 7, 2021

Capturing Hydropower’s Promise Report Series

The series Capturing Hydropower’s Promise features suggested approaches on implementing local benefit sharing in hydropower projects, along with good practice examples.

Dec 15, 2020

Investment Opportunities in Temperature-Controlled Logistics (TCL)

Temperature-controlled logistics will help transport COVID-19 vaccines quickly and safely, and accelerate the global pandemic recovery. In this series, IFC outlines why we need to invest in temperature-controlled logistics now, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Dec 9, 2020

Case Study: Exploring Client Approaches to Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response - Alcazar Energy, Egypt

Alcazar Energy recognizes that workplace bullying, and in particular any forms of sexual harassment, could impact business operations and the employee’s wellbeing.

8 pages | © December 2020 IFC | Complimentary

Dec 9, 2020

Case Study: Exploring Client Approaches to Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response - TAQA Arabia, Energy, Egypt

TAQA Arabia recognized a need to consider specific risks for women as part of the project’s environmental, social, and health and safety requirements.

6 pages | © December 2020 IFC | Complimentary

Dec 9, 2020

Case Study: Exploring Client Approaches to Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response - Asyaport, Infrastructure, Turkey

The case study explores how the company has taken action to promote equal opportunities and highlights the the implementation of the company’s Environmental and Social Action Plan.

7 pages | © December 2020 IFC | Complimentary

Nov 30, 2020

Leading a Clean Urban Recovery with Electric Buses

With the imposition of lockdowns in early 2020 due to the onset of COVID-19, bus, train, and metro lines experienced significant decreases in ridership. Between March and April, public transit ridership was down 70-90 percent in some places. These recent challenges have come on top of a fall in public transport ridership over the past decade, all of which leads some to wonder if our ability to get around cities will ever be the same.

English | 8 pages | IFC 2020

Oct 21, 2020

COVID-19’s Impact on Sub-National Governments

In emerging markets, urban centers feel the brunt of both the health and economic crises, putting subnational governments, or SNGs, front and center in the efforts to contain COVID-19. SNGs in emerging markets face significant challenges brought on by the pandemic, for example, significantly less use of public transit, dramatically lower sales tax revenue due to retail and tourism closures, and limited capacity to mount an effective health response. Low levels of preparedness compound these vulnerabilities.

English | 6 pages | IFC 2020

Oct 14, 2020

Sector Overview | Urban Infrastructure

IFC: A Solutions Provider for Cities and Mayors

English | 2 pages | IFC 2020

Oct 14, 2020

Sector Overview | Creating Opportunities for New Private Sector Investment

IFC: Upstream Opportunities in Infrastructure

English | 2 pages | IFC 2022

Sep 24, 2020

Lessons for Electric Utilities from COVID-19 Responses in Emerging Markets

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic shutdown have severely depressed electricity demand across the globe, with acute consequences for the revenues and financial health of utilities, as well as smaller providers of utility services and off-grid companies. In many places, utility service providers also must manage the inability of consumers to pay for their services. Government support has been forthcoming, but utilities need to work closely with policymakers to ensure that programs are carefully designed in order to maintain ongoing system reforms, competitiveness, and affordability, and avoid long-lasting market disruptions. These support measures should avoid redundancy among sectors and ensure that resources are efficiently allocated and that welfare improvements are fairly distributed across the country in a sustainable manner. Investors must also understand changes to utilities’ finances and should work to support further reforms.

English | 8 pages - September - Note 90 | IFC 2020

Sep 21, 2020

Powered by Women - Business Case for Gender Diversity and Equality in Nepal’s Hydropower Sector

This Powered by Women report was developed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) as part of its commitment to mainstream gender into its programs. By building the Business Case for Gender Equality and Diversity in Nepal’s Hydropower sector, this report provides the foundation for the Powered by Women Initiative to help companies promote business growth and efficiency and enhance sustainability through increased gender diversity.

50 pages | © September 2020 IFC | Complimentary

Jul 14, 2020

Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment: Emerging Good Practice for the Private Sector

This publication outlines emerging practices in addressing gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in operations and investments, while accompanying sector-specific briefs provide targeted guidance on addressing GBVH risks in key sectors, including transport, construction and manufacturing.

96 pages | © July 2020 IFC, EBRD, CDC Group | Complimentary

Jul 1, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on Water and Sanitation

English | 6 pages | 2020 IFC

Jun 24, 2020

Regulatory and Tariff Review for Distributed Generation in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors in Southern Africa

This report reviews the regulatory and tariff frameworks for small-scale distributed power generation in six southern African countries to support private investment in clean energy generation, transmission and distribution.

Jun 16, 2020

COVID-19’s Impact on the Waste Sector

This publication examines COVID-19’s impact on the waste sector. It explains how governments and private sector can work together to find sustainable solutions.