Publication: The World Bank Group in Somalia Fiscal Years 2013-23: Country Program Evaluation
Loading...
Published
2025-04-04
ISSN
Date
2025-04-04
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Abstract
In 2012, Somalia was considered a failed state characterized by multiple, protracted, and deeply rooted fragility and development challenges. Today, Somalia remains one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world. The country continues to be affected by ongoing civil conflict, a still-evolving political-constitutional structure, extreme poverty, and susceptibility to climate change and natural disasters. This evaluation assesses the evolution and performance of the World Bank Group’s support during fiscal years 2013 to 20–23, spanning two country strategies. This includes the evolution and relevance of its strategy and engagement, contributions to statebuilding, and adaptations of support to Somalia’s fragility context. The World Bank’s support has contributed to many achievements in building and strengthening state capacity and institutions, but enormous challenges remain. This evaluation offers four lessons: (i) Selectivity in statebuilding support. (ii) Calibrating lending with absorptive capacity. (iii) Strategically engaging with different government entities. (iv) Maintaining partnerships and coordination.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“World Bank. 2025. The World Bank Group in Somalia Fiscal Years 2013-23: Country Program Evaluation. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/43024 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
Digital Object Identifier
Associated URLs
Associated content
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
Publication World Bank Group Support to Somalia, Fiscal Years 2013–22 - Country Program Evaluation (Approach Paper, March 2, 2023)(Washington, DC, 2023-03-22)Somalia is today among the poorest and most fragile countries in the world, facing myriad development challenges related to ongoing conflict, climate change, food insecurity, natural disasters, and displacement. Overlapping crises related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a prolonged drought, and macroeconomic shocks from rising food and fuel costs have worsened socioeconomic conditions (World Bank 2022). Seventy-one percent of Somalis lived in extreme poverty in 2021, compared with 28 percent for Sub-Saharan Africa (World Bank 2021). Average life expectancy was 57.4 years, and maternal mortality stood at 734 for every 100,000 births (World Bank 2018d). The country’s Sustainable Development Goal ranking was 160th out of 163. The Somalia Country Program Evaluation (CPE) will assess the evolution of the World Bank Group’s support over fiscal years (FY)13–22 and the extent to which the Bank Group adequately prepared for an eventual normalization of relations with Somalia, tailored its support to the conflict and fragility situation in Somalia and evolving circumstances and country priorities, and learned from experience. It will seek to inform the preparation of the next Somalia Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and may be relevant to broader Bank Group engagement in countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV).Publication Biodiversity for a Livable Planet: An Evaluation of World Bank Group Support for Biodiversity, Fiscal Years 2010–24(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-10-09)Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species, and ecosystems levels. It is essential to sustain human life, food security, crop yields, jobs, livelihoods, and marine productivity. Yet, it is declining at an unprecedented rate as the planet approaches a tipping point that could have permanent effects on livelihoods, economies, disaster risks, and climate stability. While the international community aims to stop and reverse biodiversity loss, progress has been slow. The World Bank Group has historically been the largest global investor in biodiversity. This evaluation assessed how well the Bank Group is supporting clients to address biodiversity loss, by answering: (i) How is the WB addressing biodiversity challenges through conservation-focused activities? and (ii) How well are the WB and IFC supporting activities with potential biodiversity benefits in key production sectors? A third question on managing risks to biodiversity was covered in a WBG biodiversity offsets review. The evaluation offers four recommendations to help the Bank Group support clients in achieving their livable planet goals. The recommendations align with the Bank Group’s mission to end poverty while supporting clients in protecting their natural capital, which is foundational for their prosperity, job-creation, resilience, and debt sustainability. Recommendations include: (i) The World Bank Group should assist clients to identify, finance, and measure biodiversity outcomes. To support this goal, the World Bank Group should strengthen its internal capabilities. (ii) The World Bank should engage, empower, and protect Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to achieve sustainable and inclusive biodiversity outcomes at scale. (iii) The World Bank and IFC should proactively replicate and scale proven biodiversity positive production models that deliver positive ecological, economic, and social outcomes. (iv) The World Bank, IFC, and MIGA should actively address the gaps in offset projects regarding staff capacity, information disclosure, and project life cycle monitoring and supervision.Publication The World Bank Group in Tanzania, Fiscal Years 2012–22(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-07-22)This evaluation assesses the relevance and effectiveness of the World Bank Group's support to Tanzania between Fiscal Years 2012 and 2022. Over the past decade, Tanzania has experienced resilient growth, with an average annual per capita GDP increase of 2.2%. However, poverty remains widespread and slow to decline, underscoring the need for more inclusive growth. The report examines the Bank Group's strategic and operational approaches during this period, which were aligned with Tanzania's development priorities and focused on industrialization, human development, and public sector reforms. The evaluation includes thematic chapters on the Bank Group's support for private sector-led growth and spatial transformation, as well as lessons to inform future support to the country.Publication The World Bank Group in Chad, Fiscal Years 2010–20(Washington, DC : World Bank, 2022-06-28)This Country Program Evaluation (CPE) assesses the World Bank Group's development effectiveness in Chad over the past decade within a context of high fragility and extreme poverty. The report covers the implementation of the Interim Strategy Note (2010–12) and the Country Partnership Framework (16–20). This CPE draws lessons to inform the design and implementation of the next partnership strategy with Chad. IEG finds that World Bank Group's support to Chad was aligned with government priorities and World Bank diagnostics. Bank Group support helped advance several human development objectives. It especially increased access to health services, primary and secondary education, and social protection in targeted areas as well as gender equality. Notwithstanding the challenges inherent in working in a fragile and conflict-affected situation, the performance of the Bank Group portfolio in Chad was weak. Timely budget support helped stave off an imminent fiscal crisis but did not achieve sustained reform. Few results were achieved in agriculture, infrastructure, and public resource management. Overall, performance was undermined by procurement delays, high turnover of government counterparts, and a lack of continuity in World Bank staff working on Chad. The following three lessons are offered for consideration. First, timely and targeted analytical work is necessary to inform priority setting, policy dialogue, and the design of reforms. Given the prevalence of capacity and absorptive constraints, it is essential to strategically prioritize analytical work to help identify and understand the most binding constraints to development gains and inform efforts to address them. Second, procurement challenges warrant greater attention to address the underlying political and bureaucratic obstacles, which will require a higher-level dialogue with the government. Lastly, although working in Chad is challenging, it is critical to strengthen incentives to attract and retain talent. This is needed to improve continuity of engagement with country authorities and compensate for weak client capacity, including the high turnover of government officials.Publication World Bank Group Support to Ghana, Fiscal Years 2013–23 (Approach Paper)(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-28)This Country Program Evaluation (CPE) will assess the performance of World Bank Group support to Ghana in achieving its development objectives between fiscal years (FY)13 and FY23. The evaluation period spans two Bank Group–supported country strategies—the FY13–16 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), which was extended by two years to FY18, and the current FY22–26 Country Partnership Framework (CPF). The CPE will assess the relevance, coherence, and efficacy of the Bank Group support to help Ghana tackle its main development challenges, including by examining how the Bank Group adapted its engagement in response to changing conditions, priorities, and lessons from experience. In addition to assessing the evolution of the overarching strategy of support and its implementation and impact, the evaluation will assess the Bank Group’s contribution to supporting Ghana in terms of three important thematic challenges faced over the evaluation period.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
Publication Commodity Markets Outlook, April 2025(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-04-29)Commodity prices are set to fall sharply this year, by about 12 percent overall, as weakening global economic growth weighs on demand. In 2026, commodity prices are projected to reach a six-year low. Oil prices are expected to exert substantial downward pressure on the aggregate commodity index in 2025, as a marked slowdown in global oil consumption coincides with expanding supply. The anticipated commodity price softening is broad-based, however, with more than half of the commodities in the forecast set to decrease this year, many by more than 10 percent. The latest shocks to hit commodity markets extend a so far tumultuous decade, marked by the highest level of commodity price volatility in at least half a century. Between 2020 and 2024, commodity price swings were frequent and sharp, with knock-on consequences for economic activity and inflation. In the next two years, commodity prices are expected to put downward pressure on global inflation. Risks to the commodity price projections are tilted to the downside. A sharper-than-expected slowdown in global growth—driven by worsening trade relations or a prolonged tightening of financial conditions—could further depress commodity demand, especially for industrial products. In addition, if OPEC+ fully unwinds its voluntary supply cuts, oil production will far exceed projected consumption. There are also important upside risks to commodity prices—for instance, if geopolitical tensions worsen, threatening oil and gas supplies, or if extreme weather events lead to agricultural and energy price spikes.Publication Business Ready 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-03)Business Ready (B-READY) is a new World Bank Group corporate flagship report that evaluates the business and investment climate worldwide. It replaces and improves upon the Doing Business project. B-READY provides a comprehensive data set and description of the factors that strengthen the private sector, not only by advancing the interests of individual firms but also by elevating the interests of workers, consumers, potential new enterprises, and the natural environment. This 2024 report introduces a new analytical framework that benchmarks economies based on three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency. The analysis centers on 10 topics essential for private sector development that correspond to various stages of the life cycle of a firm. The report also offers insights into three cross-cutting themes that are relevant for modern economies: digital adoption, environmental sustainability, and gender. B-READY draws on a robust data collection process that includes specially tailored expert questionnaires and firm-level surveys. The 2024 report, which covers 50 economies, serves as the first in a series that will expand in geographical coverage and refine its methodology over time, supporting reform advocacy, policy guidance, and further analysis and research.Publication Global Economic Prospects, June 2025(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-10)The global economy is facing another substantial headwind, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. For emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), the ability to boost job creation and reduce extreme poverty has declined. Key downside risks include a further escalation of trade barriers and continued policy uncertainty. These challenges are exacerbated by subdued foreign direct investment into EMDEs. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable international trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries grappling with conflict, debt burdens, and climate change. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To accelerate job creation and long-term growth, structural reforms must focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labor markets. Countries in fragile and conflict situations face daunting development challenges that will require tailored domestic policy reforms and well-coordinated multilateral support.Publication Global Economic Prospects, June 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-06-11)After several years of negative shocks, global growth is expected to hold steady in 2024 and then edge up in the next couple of years, in part aided by cautious monetary policy easing as inflation gradually declines. However, economic prospects are envisaged to remain tepid, especially in the most vulnerable countries. Risks to the outlook, while more balanced, are still tilted to the downside, including the possibility of escalating geopolitical tensions, further trade fragmentation, and higher-for-longer interest rates. Natural disasters related to climate change could also hinder activity. Subdued growth prospects across many emerging market and developing economies and continued risks underscore the need for decisive policy action at the global and national levels. Global Economic Prospects is a World Bank Group Flagship Report that examines global economic developments and prospects, with a special focus on emerging market and developing economies, on a semiannual basis (in January and June). Each edition includes analytical pieces on topical policy challenges faced by these economies.Publication Global Economic Prospects, January 2025(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-01-16)Global growth is expected to hold steady at 2.7 percent in 2025-26. However, the global economy appears to be settling at a low growth rate that will be insufficient to foster sustained economic development—with the possibility of further headwinds from heightened policy uncertainty and adverse trade policy shifts, geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation, and climate-related natural disasters. Against this backdrop, emerging market and developing economies are set to enter the second quarter of the twenty-first century with per capita incomes on a trajectory that implies substantially slower catch-up toward advanced-economy living standards than they previously experienced. Without course corrections, most low-income countries are unlikely to graduate to middle-income status by the middle of the century. Policy action at both global and national levels is needed to foster a more favorable external environment, enhance macroeconomic stability, reduce structural constraints, address the effects of climate change, and thus accelerate long-term growth and development.