The World Bank has called for urgent reforms to strengthen public finances and increase domestic revenue mobilisation in the Central African Republic (CAR), warning that persistent structural weaknesses continue to hamper the country’s development prospects.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the fifth review of Ethiopia’s 48-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF), unlocking an immediate disbursement of approximately $464 million to support the country’s balance of payments and fiscal financing needs.

A landmark United Nations (UN) report has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at a pace that is outstripping both scientific understanding and governments’ ability to regulate it, creating significant opportunities as well as growing risks for societies, economies and global security.

The World Bank Group has appointed Nicola Pontara as Division Director for the Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad, where he will oversee the institution’s strategic engagement and development portfolio across the four nations.