The IMF published its updated World Economic Outlook, downgrading global growth projections from 3.3% to 2.8% in the face of tariff spikes and high levels of policy uncertainty. Titled “A Critical Juncture Amid Policy Shifts”, the report notes that the world economy had been on track to emerge from a challenging period post-COVID, but has been plunged into uncertainty. Growth forecasts have been revised downwards, while global headline inflation is expected to decline at a slightly slower pace than what was expected in January. It warns that scaling back international cooperation could jeopardize progress, and urges countries to “work constructively to promote a stable and predictable trade environment and to facilitate international cooperation, while addressing policy gaps and structural imbalances at home” (Chapter 1). The report also encourages policies that promote healthy aging and enhance labor force participation among older individuals and women (Chapter 2) as well as better integration of migrants and refugees in the economy (Chapter 3). Read more here: https://shorturl.at/wqvrS

• Sub-Saharan Africa Update, Africa’s Pulse reports that economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is showing some resilience, despite uncertainty in the global economy and restricted fiscal space. Regional growth is expected to reach 3.5 percent in 2025 and further accelerate to 4.3 percent in 2026-2027. However, countries rich in resources and those facing fragility, conflict, and violence are growing more slowly than the rest of the region, and the region is struggling to reduce poverty and create enough good jobs for its young population. It recommends Governments focus on providing quality public services and fairly-regulated market competition. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/africa-pulse

CGD’s Karen Mathiesen and Nico Martinez publish a new Note, “The African Development Fund Replenishment and the Resource Curse of 2025” in which they discuss the difficulties in replenishment negotiations for the African Development Fund (ADF) of the AfDB. AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina has urged shareholders to support the target of $25 billion for ADF 17, up from $9 billion for ADF16, but this will be a tall order in the current donor climate. Other options are limited. The authors note four ways the ADF could help sustain lending volumes: expanding donor options, appealing to nontraditional donors, issuing debt, and doubling down on aid effectiveness. In a new podcast, Karen Mathiesen of CGD and AfriCatalyst’s Daouda Sembene interview three of the five candidates for AfDB President. Listen or read the transcript here: https://shorturl.at/pk6Rg

The IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings took place in Washington DC from 22-25 April, under the headline “Jobs – The Path to Prosperity”. Key sessions focused on the need to generate jobs for 1.2 billion young people in emerging economies who are due to reach working age over the next decade (only about 420 million jobs are currently projected). Speaking in a flagship event, WB President Ajay Banga spoke about his jobs strategy, unpacking the need for investment in the key job-creating areas of infrastructure, agriculture, primary health care, tourism and manufacturing, while also underlining that advances also require investment in child development, skills and women’s economic empowerment. He also noted the importance of reducing tariffs. The WBG also announced the launch of the next phase of its Private Sector Investment Lab, which will expand to include industry leaders with experience generating jobs in developing economies. https://shorturl.at/lk5vh

On the sidelines of the 11th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) held from 9-11 April 2025 in Kampala - Uganda's Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and UNHCR held a joint side event on 10th April, with a focus on Driving Job Creation and Economic Growth Through Evidence-Based Private Sector Solutions in Refugee-Hosting Areas in Africa. The side event underscored the critical need for integrating refugees into economic frameworks, fostering private sector engagement, and ensuring collaborative efforts among governments, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector to create jobs and develop sustainable solutions for the economic inclusion of refugees and host communities.

WB Releases Economic Update: On 4/1, WB released the Rwanda Economic Update (REU), titled Modernizing Agriculture to Accelerate Structural Transformation. The report highlights that Rwanda has exhibited strong resilience amidst global uncertainties, driven by robust private consumption, significant investment and strong performances in services, industry, and a recovering agriculture sector. This led to significant improvements in the labor market, with the creation of over half a million new jobs on a year-on-year basis. The REU recommends strengthening seed systems and implementing regulatory reforms to attract private investment. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/04/01/rwandas-afe-economy-registers-robust-growth-in-2024-despite-global-challenges

Funding opportunity Alert! The Fund for Women Loreal is now accepting application for funding! This fund supports grassroots non-profit organizations that support women and girls in situations of poverty/underprivileged, victims of violence, refugees, or in situations of disability. The L’Oréal Fund for Women is a charitable fund launched in 2020 to support frontline organizations in their efforts to help women to get out of poverty and prevent domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence against women. The next round of applications will be opened from April 2nd, 2025 (12pm CEST) to April 30th, 2025 (12pm CEST). If you meet the eligibility criteria, please apply now to secure funding to empower vulnerable women and girls in your communities! Apply @ https://lnkd.in/eByNujEu

Since publishing the results of our Community of Practice (CoP) Survey on U.S. Executive Actions & Refugee Self-Reliance (access it here: https://shorturl.at/W7Euw), the RSRI has curated a list of bridge funds and other funding resources to support organizations affected by the U.S. aid freeze and other executive orders that halt humanitarian work and interrupt crucial pathways to self-reliance. This list is updated weekly. Access the list of bridge funds here: https://shorturl.at/mNBPC

Be Part of #AFD2025: the largest gathering of private sector leaders addressing the challenges of displacement. As the world faces unprecedented displacement crises, the need for action-oriented conversations is more critical than ever. Join us in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28th to 29th April 2025 for the Africa Forum on Displacement 2025, where leaders from the private sector, government, and civil society will come together o address the challenges and opportunities of displacement in Africa. Don’t miss this chance to explore innovative solutions, forge impactful partnerships, and contribute to empowering displaced communities across the continent. Register today and be part of re-shaping the future of Africa’s displacement! https://registration.crowdcomms.com/afd25

Dataset of World Refugee and Asylum Policies (DWRAP) - This exciting new online platform features data from 193 countries from 1952 to 2022, allowing users to track trends over time and across geographical regions. The data also contains filters for categories such as access to protection, services, livelihoods, movement, and citizenship and participation in political processes and provides a wealth of insights and research opportunities. DWRAP was developed by Blair, Grossman and Weinstein (2022) and has been updated in collaboration with the World Bank – UNHCR Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement. https://datanalytics.worldbank.org/dwrap/