Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the electricity access sector in Sub-Saharan Africa Core Insights - The World Bank Group aims to support electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a target to provide access to 300 million people by 2030, addressing the significant gap in electricity access in the region [27][34] - The evaluation highlights the importance of reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity access for improving human welfare and boosting productivity, which is essential for economic development [3][24] - The report identifies a financing gap of approximately US$35 billion to US$50 billion annually needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 for universal electricity access by 2030 [23] Summary by Sections Background and Context - The evaluation assesses the World Bank Group's contributions to electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2015 to 2024, focusing on the region's significant electricity access gaps [2][1] - Over 85% of the global population without electricity access resides in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a stark urban-rural divide in access levels [8][12] Evolution of the World Bank Group's Electricity Access Agenda - The Bank Group has engaged in systematic support for electricity access in low-access countries, developing national electrification plans and supporting various projects across Sub-Saharan Africa [25][26] - The Corporate Scorecard monitors progress in electricity access, focusing on direct and inferred access through various interventions [26] Rationale and Objective of the Evaluation - The evaluation aims to assess the relevance, effectiveness, and coherence of the Bank Group's support for scaling up electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa [34][3] - It emphasizes the need to evaluate not just connectivity but also the reliability, sustainability, and affordability of electricity access [29][30] Barriers to Electrification - Key barriers identified include insufficient planning, high costs of electrification, and unsustainable business models for power system operators [39][3] - The report stresses the importance of national electrification plans (NEPs) as a strategy for expanding access to electricity [40] Government Actions and World Bank Group Activities - The World Bank supports the design and operationalization of NEPs, providing technical assistance and resources for new connections [41][42] - The report outlines the Bank Group's role in improving regulatory frameworks to attract private sector investments in electricity access [45][46] Intermediate Outcomes and Impact - The theory of change suggests that effective interventions can lead to increased electricity access, improved welfare, and enhanced productivity for households [48][50] - The report indicates that achieving universal access requires collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, private sector participants, and development partners [50][27] Evaluation Scope and Design - The evaluation covers projects and activities from FY15 to FY24, focusing on their impact on electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa [52][51] - A mixed methods approach will be used to assess the relevance, effectiveness, and coherence of the Bank Group's interventions [60][61]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry under review. Core Insights - The paper estimates the welfare impact of the growth of imported goods variety in 28 countries in East Africa and East Asia from 1995 to 2021, revealing that African countries gained an average of 5.47% of their GDP (0.20% annually), while Asian countries (excluding Bhutan) gained 3.46% (0.13% annually) [3][16][18] - The findings emphasize that the creation and extension of trade linkages can significantly enhance welfare, particularly for small and transitioning economies, which is often overlooked in discussions about globalization and economic integration [17][18] - The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the gains from import variety, utilizing over 100,000 estimated elasticities of substitution to construct an exact price index for measuring welfare gains [3][9][54] Summary by Sections Introduction - The paper discusses the benefits of increased variety in imported goods, which leads to lower unit costs and welfare gains, contrasting with traditional studies that focus on productivity and efficiency improvements [8][9] Data and Descriptive Analysis - The analysis uses trade data from BACI covering 27 years, revealing significant growth in both the value and variety of imports across the selected countries [21][22] - The average number of imported products increased by 31% for the sample countries, with notable increases in total varieties, particularly in African countries [26][27] Methodology - The report follows the methodology established by Feenstra and Broda & Weinstein to derive an exact price index for measuring welfare gains from import variety [31][39] - The estimation of elasticities of substitution is crucial for understanding the responsiveness of demand to price changes among different varieties [50][56] Results - The average elasticity of substitution across the 28 countries is 13.0, with a median of 4.1, indicating significant potential for gains from variety due to the high differentiation of goods [56] - The report highlights that the average welfare gain from newly imported varieties from 1995 to 2021 amounts to 5.49% of GDP, with African countries showing higher gains compared to Asian countries [16][54]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry under discussion Core Insights - The report highlights the need for a holistic and inclusive parental benefits framework in Nepal to support both men and women in balancing childcare responsibilities and employment [8] - It identifies significant gaps in awareness and compliance regarding parental benefits in the formal sector, while the informal sector lacks such benefits entirely [8] - The study emphasizes the importance of addressing societal norms and policies to improve women's labor force participation, particularly in relation to childcare responsibilities [8] Summary by Sections I. Country Context and Motivation - Nepal has a young working-age population, with women constituting a significant portion, yet their labor force participation is low compared to men [15][16] - The labor force participation rate (LFPR) for women is 26% compared to 54% for men, with women more likely to be engaged in informal and subsistence work [15][16] - Gender wage gaps persist, with women earning on average 26% less than men, and the gap is larger for women in informal sectors [15][16] II. Literature Review on Impacts of Parental Benefits on Labor Market Participation - Evidence from OECD countries shows that parental benefits positively impact women's employment rates, with maternity leave linked to increased female labor force participation [32][33] - In developing countries, mandated maternity leave has been associated with increased female employment, particularly when funded by the government [36][37] III. Review of International Standards on Parental Benefits - The ILO's Maternity Protection Convention outlines minimum standards for maternity leave, but lacks provisions for paternity leave, reinforcing traditional gender roles [40][41] - The report notes that while many countries provide maternity leave, only 56% offer paid paternity leave, highlighting a gap in gender-neutral parental benefits [44][45] Part 1: De-jure Parental Benefits in Nepal - The report analyzes the legal framework for parental benefits in Nepal, identifying areas such as parental leave, cash benefits, and workplace protections that require improvement [46][47] Part 2: De-facto Implementation of Parental Benefits - A survey of 1000 urban workers reveals low awareness and uptake of parental benefits, particularly in the informal sector, where workers express willingness to contribute to a social insurance scheme [48][49] - The findings indicate that societal norms significantly influence labor market choices for mothers, while fathers are less likely to consider childcare in their employment decisions [8]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - GCC countries are prioritizing human capital development to drive economic growth, innovation, and societal development [4][33] - Enhancing university rankings is crucial for attracting students, researchers, and investors, thereby impacting a nation's international reputation and investor appeal [7][33] Summary by Sections Human Capital Development - GCC countries have ambitious plans to diversify their economies, with a focus on enhancing the quality of education and aligning university curricula with labor market needs [4][5] - Saudi Arabia's Human Capital Development Program aims to improve educational institution rankings and align outputs with market demands [5] - The UAE's National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 emphasizes quality, efficiency, and innovation in education [5][11] University Rankings - University rankings influence student selection and development strategies, serving as benchmarks for policymakers [7][8] - Key dimensions affecting rankings include teaching quality, research effect, international outlook, and industry engagement [9][8] Ranking Improvements - GCC countries aim to have universities ranked among the top 100 globally by 2030, with current rankings showing some improvements [11][12] - Notable improvements in rankings for specific universities include KFUPM moving from 180 to 101 and Qatar University from 173 to 122 [14] Challenges in Ranking Enhancement - Previous attempts to enhance rankings faced issues such as allegations of questionable practices and a lack of focus on teaching quality [12][13] - Rapid expansion of university infrastructure without corresponding faculty and curriculum development has led to challenges in maintaining educational quality [16][17] Actionable Steps for Improvement - Enhancing teaching quality requires fostering a culture of excellence and investing in faculty development [19][20] - Improving research quality and impact involves prioritizing high-impact publications and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration [24][25] - Increasing international outlook can be achieved by attracting diverse faculty and students through supportive government policies [26][27] - Strengthening industry engagement through partnerships and career development services is essential for improving employment outcomes [28][29]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the concrete industry but emphasizes the need for innovative policy mechanisms like advance market commitments (AMCs) to drive decarbonization efforts in the sector [5][10]. Core Insights - The concrete industry, particularly cement production, is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for nearly 7% of all anthropogenic CO2 emissions [1][2]. - Decarbonizing the concrete sector is essential for meeting climate targets, and innovative policies such as AMCs are necessary to commercialize new technologies [5][10]. - AMCs can help transition technologies from research and development to commercialization by guaranteeing demand for low-carbon products [6][10]. Summary by Sections Introduction - Cement production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and innovative policies are required to address the unavoidable emissions from the cement-making process [1][4]. Advance Market Commitments (AMCs) - AMCs are binding contracts that ensure demand for yet-to-be-developed technologies, facilitating financing for early-stage producers [6][7]. - Successful examples of AMCs in other sectors, such as vaccines, demonstrate their potential in the concrete industry [7][10]. Public Sector AMCs - Public procurement can leverage AMCs to incentivize the adoption of low-carbon materials, as governments spend billions on concrete [10][12]. - Twelve states have committed to prioritizing lower-carbon infrastructure materials, indicating a growing trend towards green public procurement [12][10]. Decarbonization Technologies - A variety of technologies are available to decarbonize cement and concrete, including alternative feedstocks, production processes, clinker substitution, and carbon capture [13][15]. - The report identifies at least five promising technologies suitable for AMCs, emphasizing the need for a suite of solutions rather than a single approach [13][15]. Implementation Framework - A five-year framework is proposed to establish AMCs in the public sector, focusing on building consumer confidence, educating stakeholders, and defining evaluation criteria [19][20]. - The framework includes strategies for addressing implementation barriers and unlocking innovation through technology prize programs [19][60]. Organizing Demand - Developing a buyers' coalition is essential to aggregate demand for low-carbon concrete products, which can signal to producers the need for investment in low-emission technologies [66][70]. - Successful examples of demand aggregation in other sectors, such as aviation fuel, highlight the potential for similar initiatives in the concrete industry [70][66]. Conclusion - The report calls for collaboration among industry stakeholders to implement AMCs for low-carbon concrete, emphasizing the need for critical actions to overcome existing barriers [71][73].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Vietnam has experienced impressive economic growth and poverty reduction over the last few decades, but recent evidence indicates that economic growth has not been uniform, with rising within-province inequality and increasing segregation of the poor, particularly among ethnic minority populations [3][8][52] - Economic growth has a beneficial impact on poverty reduction, but this relationship can be influenced by levels of inequality, which can negatively affect economic growth and various poverty indicators [3][13][52] - Policymakers in Vietnam should focus on reducing spatial disparities and income inequality to achieve sustainable economic development [3][52] Summary by Sections Introduction - The report highlights the intertwined relationship between poverty, inequality, and economic growth, emphasizing the need to address both poverty and inequality as part of the Sustainable Development Goals [7][8] Trends in Economic Growth, Inequality, and Poverty - Between 2002 and 2020, per capita income in Vietnam increased from 4,565 thousand dong to 15,156 thousand dong, and real per capita expenditure more than tripled from 3,476 thousand dong to 14,251 thousand dong [19][20] - The Gini index for per capita expenditure averaged 0.37, indicating steady levels of inequality, with within-province inequality increasing significantly over time [21][23] - The headcount poverty rate decreased from 29% in 2002 to less than 10% in 2016 and around 5% in 2020, demonstrating significant poverty reduction [24][25] Regional Distribution of Poverty - Poverty rates vary significantly across provinces, with the lowest rates in Ho Chi Minh City (1.8%) and the highest in northwest provinces like Dien Bien (62%) [26][28] - The report indicates a rise in the segregation of the poor, with certain provinces experiencing disproportionate increases in their share of the poor population [29][31] Relationship Between Economic Growth, Inequality, and Poverty - The analysis shows that a 1% increase in per capita expenditure reduces the poverty rate by 0.26 percentage points, while a similar increase in the Gini index has a negative impact on poverty severity [35][36] - Provinces with higher shares of urban population and non-farm income tend to have lower poverty rates, while those with greater population density experience higher poverty levels [37][49] Discussion and Conclusion - The report concludes that while Vietnam has made substantial progress in reducing overall poverty, targeted policies are necessary to address the increasing segregation of the poor and rising inequality within provinces [52][54] - The findings suggest that economic transitions towards wage and service economies could benefit growth and poverty reduction but may also exacerbate poverty segregation [52][49]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The study indicates that technology and digitalization positively influence the adoption of environmental and social standards among digital-oriented firms, while governance standards are found to be lower [5][14][20] - The findings emphasize the role of country culture, regulatory burdens, and perceptions of the judicial system in shaping the ethical standards adopted by digital-oriented firms [5][16][17] Summary by Sections Introduction - The report highlights the growing global interest in ethics and sustainability in firm management, linking these concepts to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [9] - It discusses the dual nature of technology's impact on sustainability, presenting both opportunities and risks [10] Methodology - The analysis utilizes data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys, covering 192,132 observations across 158 countries from 2006 to 2023, focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards [12][25] - The study defines digital-tech-oriented firms based on their technological and digital presence [30] Findings - Digital-tech-oriented firms are more likely to monitor CO2 emissions and provide employee training, indicating a positive relationship with environmental and social standards [14][58] - However, these firms show a negative correlation with the employment of female top managers, suggesting a widening gender gap in leadership roles [59][74] - Cultural factors significantly influence the hiring of female top managers, particularly in countries with strong masculine preferences [16][63] Regulatory Environment - The report finds that a lower regulatory burden positively impacts the monitoring of CO2 emissions and the provision of training programs, but it also widens the gender gap in management positions [66][67] - Perceptions of courts as obstacles to business affect the hiring of female top managers, with fewer constraints leading to a lower representation of women in leadership [70][78] Conclusion - The relationship between technology and ethical practices is complex, with technology enabling better monitoring and training but also contributing to gender disparities in management [74][81] - The study underscores the importance of considering firm- and country-specific factors in promoting ethical business practices and addressing gender inequality [81]

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The concept of agency is central to empowerment, defined as the ability to define one's goals and make choices to achieve them [9] - Traditional measures of agency often underestimate the influence of individuals who do not directly participate in decision-making, particularly in rural households [5][11] - The study identifies two forms of effective power: effective power by proxy and effective power by influence or persuasion, highlighting the complexity of decision-making dynamics within households [5][27] Summary by Sections Introduction - Empowerment is linked to the ability to make strategic decisions and influence outcomes, with agency being a key component [9] - Agency is often measured through direct involvement in decision-making, but this may not accurately reflect an individual's power [10][11] Data and Methodology - The study utilized mixed methods data from rural households in Kilifi County, Kenya, collected between October 2022 and March 2023 [12][31] - The survey included both household and individual questionnaires, focusing on decision-making related to water collection and household expenditures [31][32] Decision-Making Dynamics - The report reveals that only 13% of men and 33% of women are directly involved in making decisions across various activities [41] - Women are less likely to participate in financial decisions, while men often do not engage in water-related decisions, which are typically seen as women's responsibilities [42][43] Effective Power - Effective power by proxy is more common among men, allowing them to have their preferences met without direct involvement in decision-making [55] - Women with effective power by proxy are less likely to achieve their desired outcomes compared to men, indicating a disparity in power dynamics [57] - Effective power through influence or persuasion allows individuals to shape decisions indirectly, often to avoid negative consequences [59][62] Conclusion - The findings suggest that measuring agency requires a nuanced understanding of decision-making processes and the various forms of power individuals may exert, even when not directly involved [18][26]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Dynamic social registries (dSRs) are essential for adaptive social protection (ASP) in shock-prone contexts, enabling timely identification and support for vulnerable populations affected by climate-related shocks [2][10][11]. - The operationalization of dSRs involves direct and indirect data collection, various intake modalities, and modular questionnaires to ensure continuous updates and accurate assessments of household welfare [2][13][24]. - Key recommendations for implementing dSRs include establishing a permanent client interface for data collection, adopting a modular structure for socioeconomic questionnaires, ensuring interoperability with other data sources, and promoting peer-to-peer learning [2][13][24]. Summary by Sections 1. Introduction - The increasing frequency of interconnected shocks, particularly climate-related, necessitates effective systems to assess the changing welfare of populations [9][10]. - Social registries serve as critical delivery systems for social protection, enabling the collection and processing of demographic and socioeconomic data [9][10]. 2. Social Registries: Roles and Challenges - Social registries facilitate the intake, registration, and assessment of needs for social protection programs, addressing inclusion and coordination challenges [15][18]. - The concept of data half-life highlights the rapid obsolescence of data in static registries, emphasizing the need for dynamic systems to maintain accuracy [19][20][21]. 3. Dynamic Intake and Registration - dSRs are designed to continuously intake and update data, allowing for timely assistance during shocks and improving the effectiveness of ASP programs [24][25]. - The suitability of dSRs for shock-prone contexts is enhanced by their ability to combine direct and indirect data sources [24][31]. 4. Data Collection Trade-offs - Policymakers must balance data quality, coverage, timeliness, and privacy risks when designing social registries [65]. - The accuracy of needs assessments is contingent on the quality of underlying data, which can be influenced by various factors including the method of data collection [66]. 5. Case Study: Pakistan's Transition - The report includes a case study illustrating Pakistan's transition from a static to a dynamic social registry, showcasing the benefits of adopting dSRs [2][5]. 6. Recommendations and Conclusions - The report concludes with actionable recommendations for the operationalization of dSRs, emphasizing the importance of continuous data updates and integration with existing systems [2][13][24].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a strong ambition among telcos to transform into telecom techcos, with 80% aiming for this transition within the next three to five years, driven by the need to overcome stagnant revenues and improve efficiency [3][46]. Core Insights - The core of the transformation involves autonomous cloud network platforms, which leverage cloud-native technologies, automation, and AI to unlock new revenue streams such as AI-driven services and network APIs [3][52]. - Despite the potential, progress is slow, with only 28% of telcos expecting to achieve high autonomous network maturity within three years, highlighting a reliance on non-cloud-native architectures [3][60]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - 80% of telcos are pursuing a telecom techco vision within three to five years, primarily to address stagnant revenues and improve efficiency [3]. - Autonomous cloud network platforms are central to this shift, enabling new revenue streams [3][52]. - Only 28% of telcos expect to reach high maturity in autonomous networks within three years [3][60]. Recommendations 1. **Link Network Modernisation to Telecom Techco Strategy** - 82% of telcos aim to embody the telecom techco model within three to five years, driven by the need to improve financial performance [46]. - The top 160 listed telcos saw a 32% decline in market capitalisation from 2019 to 2023, while leading tech companies grew by 75% [8]. 2. **Pursue AI and Automation Use Cases** - Automation and AI are projected to generate financial benefits equivalent to 5% of telco revenues [10]. - The majority of telcos prioritize implementing AI/ML and automation in the next 12-18 months [10][70]. 3. **Leverage Open Source** - 92% of telcos report a maturity level of 2 or below in autonomous networks, indicating a need for open-source solutions to overcome vendor dependency [15][96]. - Telcos with high open-source adoption are 57% more likely to implement advanced cloudified network architectures [16][101]. Challenges - Significant challenges include unclear business cases, performance gaps in cloud-native stacks, and a lack of management orchestration tools [5][43]. - 94% of telcos have not implemented open RAN, indicating a slow adoption of innovative solutions [15][68]. Market Context - The report highlights that telcos are at risk of not reaching the maturity levels expected of a telecom techco, with 92% still at low maturity levels [60]. - The financial performance gap between traditional telcos and leading tech companies underscores the urgency for transformation [50][51].