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INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure is increasingly seen as the vehicle for transforming low and middle income countries. The developmental challenges that these countries face are numerous, ranging from rapid urbanization to the threat of a changing climate, and catastrophic natural disasters. To address these challenges, the infrastructure sectors - water, transport, energy and information and communications technology - have emerged as real agents of change.

Transformation through Infrastructure

World Bank Group Infrastructure Strategy Update, FY12-15

The infrastructure strategy centers on "the way in which we can support infrastructure so that it is transformative in meeting the needs of our clients. Not just a retail approach to infrastructure, but how can we support projects where our value proposition (lending, mobilization of private capital, knowledge, and advice) really makes the greatest difference."

- Rachel Kyte, Vice President of Sustainable Development

To respond to the evolving needs of client countries, the World Bank Group is updating the Sustainable Infrastructure Action Plan which has guided World Bank Infrastructure efforts since 2008. The Update proposes to continue to support the core business of infrastructure for access and growth, with an enhanced focus on transformational infrastructure, mobilization of private capital and other sources of financing. This Update looks to serve as an umbrella document, validating and strengthening the individual Sector Strategies produced by the various World Bank Group sectors with connections to infrastructure.

The strategy update was discussed as the World Bank Group Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE) on November 30th and will be posted in this space shortly. In the meantime, the Concept Note and a Brochure are featured below.

Concept Note

Brochure

Infrastructure Lending - FY11

In fiscal year 2011, the World Bank Group committed $26 billion in financing for infrastructure. With this support, it remained the largest multilateral development financier in infrastructure in both low and middle income countries. Infrastructure now accounts for 43% of World Bank Group commitments.