WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 2026 – The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, Aaa/AAA) today priced a USD 4 billion benchmark bond that matures in August 2033. With more than 150 investor orders, the transaction attracted over USD 11 billion in high-quality investor orders, primarily driven by bank treasuries, central banks/official institutions, and asset managers. The lead managers are Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, and TD Securities. The bond pays a semi-annual coupon of 4.50%, offers a spread...

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From market access to green innovation, these examples show what happens when entrepreneurs get the right support at the right time. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for around 90 per cent of businesses worldwide. They create jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen local communities. Yet millions of entrepreneurs continue to face barriers that limit their ability to start, sustain, and grow their businesses, from limited access to finance and digital tools to skills gaps and climate-related challenges. Supporting MSMEs is not just...

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Net official development assistance (ODA) by member countries of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is projected to fall again by 6.9% in 2026, driven by cuts by major donors. The health sector is seeing the deepest cuts, falling to its lowest levels in almost two decades. As the world grapples with more frequent and widespread health crises, this decrease in aid for health threatens to have broad implications for the world at large. Bilateral ODA for health is projected to decline again,...

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