In development, big wins come from working together — building trust, sharing expertise, and bringing the right partners to the table.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we explore why partnerships matter — from the teamwork and great duos we see in sport, to the coalitions needed to deliver results at scale.

We look at potential from a partnership with Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) — a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and an 1890 land-grant institution with a long tradition of practical, community-focused problem-solving — and how AAMU’s expertise can connect to global development priorities, including Mission 300 and AgriConnect.

Join us as we hear from: Ambassador Roya Rahmani, Director, Global Engagement, World Bank Group; Dr. Daniel K. Wims, President, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University; Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group; and S.L. Price, sports journalist and author of The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse.

[00:00] Every great team, every unforgettable moment, starts with partnership

[00:50] S.L. Price, sports journalist on why partnerships matter in sport

[05:30] Some recent partnerships in health and energy

[07:34] Partnerships with academia and the legacy of HBCUs

[12:52] What Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University could bring to Mission 300

[18:04] Why agriculture matters and the potential of partnerships for AgriConnect

This year countries grappled with a cascade of shocks and economic turbulence, from ongoing conflicts and economic uncertainty to catastrophic weather that tested communities. Yet in the face of these challenges, nations proved far more resilient and adaptive than predicted.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we look back at what shaped 2025 and look ahead to 2026 and beyond. As the global landscape rapidly shifts, we explore how Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are adapting and how different parts of the World Bank Group, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), are working as one to maximize our development impact.

Join us for insights on these issues and more from Anna Bjerde, the World Bank's Managing Director of Operations and Raj Kumar, the founding President and Editor-in-Chief of Devex.

[00:00] Challenges and takeaways from 2025

[06:11] How development organizations are evolving and adapting

[12:27] What can we expect from 2026?

[16:26] Wish for the next year

[17:30] 2025 through the eyes of a Kenyan farmer

To learn more about the World Bank Group’s work check out: How to Drive Intelligent Outcomes in an Age of AI

Job creation is the north star for the World Bank Group. But how can we go about it in a way that has a truly catalytic impact? Impact in the sense of generating large numbers of jobs in a sustained way. The answer is to build ecosystems, where all elements interact and support each other.

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we get into the nuts and bolts of building jobs ecosystems. We unpack AgriConnect, a new initiative to transform small-scale farming into an engine of sustainable growth, jobs, and food security, and we discuss how technical innovations including “small-AI” can help make this vision a reality.

Join us as we hear from: Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group; Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria; Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Egypt; Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business, Fletcher School, Tufts University; Nidhi Pant, Co-founder of S4S Technologies; Chege Kirundi, Chairman of Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings Ltd and Mufasa, poet, actor, writer and teaching artist from Kenya

[00:00] Building ecosystems around job creation

[03:43] Creating jobs through tourism in Egypt

[05:53] The role of connectivity in Nigeria

[10:19] What is small AI and why does it matter?

[15:20] From subsistence to surplus farming

[22:19] "Farms do not just feed people they nourish communities" Mufasa

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The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.