Inaction on Waste Is Costly—New Data from 217 Countries

Re-thinking policies for cities to manage rising volumes of waste.

March 27, 2026 Waste is piling up faster than cities can keep up, straining available space and already-tight budgets. This week, we share new World Bank research—based on data from 217 countries and 262 cities—alongside policy options to help municipalities manage the escalating waste crisis. We also explore: Africa’s new approach to ensuring agricultural spending results in stronger growth. Evidence-based trade policy tools that strengthen water security. How governments introducing digital services can build public trust. Also, listen to a conversation on expanding electricity access in Nigeria. Global challenges, practical solutions. Let’s get to them.

Waste Volumes Are Growing Faster Than Cities Can Handle As the volume of global waste surges and systems struggle to keep up, the cost of inaction is rising for cities and communities worldwide. Our new research—including recent data from 217 countries and 262 cities—shows how policy choices can help build cleaner, more livable, and resilient communities.

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African Agriculture’s “Hidden Billions” Africa is already investing billions in agriculture, but impact depends on how those funds are used. AgriConnect and similar initiatives are helping link farmers to seeds, tools, credit, and tailored advice—so that public spending translates into stronger productivity, private investment, and market access.

How Trade Policy Changes the Flow of Water Water is unevenly distributed across the world—and persistent freshwater loss disrupts jobs, incomes, and ecosystems. New research proposes reshaping water-related trade policies to ease pressure on scarce resources while strengthening economies.

Five Tips to Strengthen Trust in Digital Government As governments move services online, building trust with citizens is just as important as building technology. Serbia’s experience with a World Bank-supported data security training program offers five practical lessons to strengthen confidence in digital government.

WATCH AND LISTEN

Nigeria’s Power Sector Expands Electricity Access Under Mission 300 Reliable and affordable electricity is essential to jobs, growth, and economic transformation. In this episode of Talking Development, leaders from the World Bank and Nigeria’s power sector discuss how expanding electricity access in Nigeria can unlock productivity, attract investment, and create jobs.

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IN THE NEWS

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