People First Podcast I Western and Central Africa I World Bank Group

Western and Central Africa, World Bank Group
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People First Podcast puts a human face to the development topics relevant to people living in Western and Central Africa, and on the contribution of the World Bank. People First Podcast, for a sustainable and inclusive development! / People First Podcast vient apporter un éclairage humain et concret sur les thématiques de développement spécifiques aux habitants d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du centre, et sur la contribution de la Banque mondiale. People First Podcast, pour un développement durable et inclusif !

  1. Turning Learning Into Earning: How Better Education Can Create Better Jobs | People First Podcast

    JAN 22

    Turning Learning Into Earning: How Better Education Can Create Better Jobs | People First Podcast

    In this episode of People First Podcast, we explore how stronger education and training can power better jobs, highlighting why human capital is essential for growth and what’s working to boost foundational learning. We also look at how digital skills, private sector partnerships, and innovative financing can help turn learning into earning. Our special guest, Luis Benveniste, Senior Advisor and Acting Global Director for Education and Skills at the World Bank, shares how countries are boosting foundational learning through partnerships and new financing models. From tackling learning poverty to building digital and job‑relevant skills, discover practical solutions shaping Africa’s future. The People First podcast is available online, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcast. For more updates, follow us by subscribing, and don’t forget to rate and comment on this episode. Sequences00:00 Introduction 00:54 Education as infrastructure for good jobs 01:57 Closing education gap in Sub-Saharan Africa 05:58 Staying competitive with digital transformation and new skills 07:24 Delivering impact and unlocking opportunities for young people 09:55 Conclusion About People First PodcastPeople First Podcast provides a human angle to concrete development topics as they affect people in Western and Central Africa. It also features World Bank project and initiatives. Join us for a sustainable and inclusive development! About World Bank GroupThe World Bank Group 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.

    11 min
  2. 2025 Rewind: The Year's Must-Listens | People First Podcast

    12/16/2025

    2025 Rewind: The Year's Must-Listens | People First Podcast

    As 2025 comes to a close, we’re celebrating in this last episode of the year, the milestones, innovations, and people driving change in this incredible region. Our conversations focused on the World Bank Group’s core priorities: accelerating electrification in Sub‑Saharan Africa, creating quality jobs in the context of dynamic demographics, and modernizing and improving the profitability of the agricultural sector. The People First podcast is available online, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcast. For more updates, follow us by subscribing, and don’t forget to rate and comment on this episode. Sequences00:00 Introduction 0:20 Mission 300 is not just a number 02:41 Impact evaluation for real project results 05:13 Agriculture and Women: Drivers of the Local Economy 07:16 ACEs: Celebrating A Decade of Innovation 09:05 Empowering Youth: Jobs and Opportunities 10:17 Conclusion About People First PodcastPeople First Podcast provides a human angle to concrete development topics as they affect people in Western and Central Africa. It also features World Bank project and initiatives. Join us for a sustainable and inclusive development! About World Bank GroupThe World Bank Group 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.

    11 min
  3. Rembobinons : l’essentiel à réécouter | People First Podcast

    12/16/2025

    Rembobinons : l’essentiel à réécouter | People First Podcast

    Dans cet épisode qui est une rétrospective de l’année 2025, nous revenons sur les thématiques clés qui ont marqué les épisodes précédents du People First Podcast. Les discussions se sont concentrées sur des priorités majeures du Groupe de la Banque mondiale : à savoir, l’accélération du taux d’électrification en Afrique subsaharienne, la création d’emplois de qualité face à une démographie dynamique, et la modernisation et la rentabilité du secteur agricole. Le podcast People First est disponible en ligne, sur Spotify et sur Apple Podcasts. Pour ne rien manquer, abonnez‑vous et n’oubliez pas de noter et de commenter cet épisode. Séquences00:00 Introduction 00:40 Mission 300 : le courant passe 02:58 Le regard des jeunes sur l’emploi 04:50 Les femmes, moteurs de l'économie locale 08:56 Conclusion À propos du People First Podcast:People First Podcast vient apporter un éclairage humain et concret sur les thématiques de développement spécifiques aux habitants d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du centre, et sur la contribution de la Banque mondiale. People First Podcast, pour un développement durable et inclusif ! À propos du Groupe de la Banque mondiale:Le Groupe de la Banque mondiale est l'une des plus importantes sources de financement et de connaissances au monde pour les pays à faible revenu. Ses cinq institutions partagent l'engagement de réduire la pauvreté, d'accroître la prospérité partagée et de promouvoir le développement durable.

    10 min
  4. De l'énergie pour l'emploi en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre | People First Podcast

    11/20/2025

    De l'énergie pour l'emploi en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre | People First Podcast

    Dans ce nouvel épisode de People First Podcast, nous explorons comment l’accès à l’électricité façonne l’emploi en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre. Nous donnons la parole à des bénéficiaires au Tchad, au Cameroun, en Guinée et en Côte d’Ivoire pour comprendre concrètement comment l’énergie transforme les activités économiques et les perspectives d’emploi. Professionnels de la santé, enseignants, chefs d’entreprise et créateurs de contenu, ils partagent leurs expériences. Leurs récits montrent qu’au-delà du confort, l’électricité soutient la productivité, stimule l’économie, permet de créer et de préserver des emplois, et améliore durablement les services essentiels pour les communautés. Ecoutez People First Podcast maintenant. Laissez un commentaire ici. Votre avis nous intéresse ! Séquences00:00 Introduction 01:52 Témoignages de bénéficiaires 04:22 Connecter 300 millions de personnes à l’électricité pour soutenir la création d’emplois 07:32 Entretien avec Yaro, comédien et créateur de contenus Malien 08:18 Conclusion À propos du People First Podcast:People First Podcast vient apporter un éclairage humain et concret sur les thématiques de développement spécifiques aux habitants d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du centre, et sur la contribution de la  Banque mondiale. People First Podcast, pour un développement durable et inclusif ! À propos du Groupe de la Banque mondiale:Le Groupe de la Banque mondiale est l'une des plus importantes sources de financement et de connaissances au monde pour les pays à faible revenu. Ses cinq institutions partagent l'engagement de réduire la pauvreté, d'accroître la prospérité partagée et de promouvoir le développement durable.

    10 min
  5. Africa’s Pulse: Creating Jobs at Scale | People First Podcast

    10/10/2025

    Africa’s Pulse: Creating Jobs at Scale | People First Podcast

    The People First Podcast is back for Season 4! In this first episode, we explore one of Africa's most pressing challenges with Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for the World Bank Africa region. Andrew and his team have just released the Africa’s Pulse report, "Pathways to Job Creation in Africa." This conversation highlights job trends across the continent and examines opportunities to create sustainable employment for Africa’s growing working-age population. Tune in to discover the realities behind Africa’s labor market and learn how infrastructure, access to finance, and market integration are shaping the continent’s future. The People First podcast is available online, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcast. For more updates, follow us by subscribing, and don’t forget to rate and comment on this episode. Sequences00:00 Introduction 01:12 Insights from Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for the World Bank Africa region 02:16 Understanding the problem 04:16 Financing and growth  11:28 Three priorities to transform Africa's job landscape 12:26 Conclusion About People First PodcastPeople First Podcast provides a human angle to concrete development topics as they affect people in Western and Central Africa. It also features World Bank project and initiatives. Join us for a sustainable and inclusive development! About World Bank GroupThe World Bank Group 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.

    14 min
  6. Impact Evaluation for Real Project Results | People First Podcast

    06/24/2025

    Impact Evaluation for Real Project Results | People First Podcast

    In this episode of the People First Podcast, we explore the LEADS program, an innovative World Bank initiative reshaping project design and implementation. Listen to insights from Arianna Legovini, Director for Development Impact at the World Bank, William Brent, Chief Marketing Officer at Husk Power Systems, and specialists who share their experiences and collaborative efforts in sectors like energy, health, and education. Through these conversations, learn how LEADS is promoting learning across different sectors, using global evidence, and improving impact evaluation to achieve meaningful development results in Western and Central Africa. The People First podcast is available online, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcast. For more updates, follow us by subscribing, and don’t forget to rate and comment on this episode. Sequences 00:00 Introduction 02:13 Deep dive into the LEADS workshop in Togo with Arianna Legovini, Director for Development Impact at the World Bank 03:32 Energy sector insights with William Brent from Husk Power Systems 06:26 Importance of evidence, data, and cross-sector collaboration 09:21 Future directions and enhancing impact with AI tools 11:19 Conclusion About People First PodcastPeople First Podcast provides a human angle to concrete development topics as they affect people in Western and Central Africa. It also features World Bank project and initiatives. Join us for a sustainable and inclusive development! About World Bank GroupThe World Bank Group 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.

    13 min
  7. Le regard des jeunes sur l’emploi et les opportunités en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre | People First Podcast

    05/20/2025

    Le regard des jeunes sur l’emploi et les opportunités en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre | People First Podcast

    Dans cette édition spéciale de People First Podcast, nous plongeons au cœur des défis et des opportunités qui façonnent le marché de l'emploi en Afrique de l'Ouest et du Centre. Nous avons recueilli les témoignages de jeunes de la région, qui partagent leurs visions et aspirations pour un emploi de qualité. Nous explorerons ce que signifie un emploi de qualité pour eux, leurs attentes et leurs propositions pour dynamiser le marché de l'emploi. Ecoutez People First Podcast maintenant. Laissez un commentaire ici. Votre avis nous intéresse ! Séquences00:00 Introduction 02:23 Aspirations des jeunes et réalités du marché de l'emploi 04:15 Investir dans le capital humain pour libérer le potentiel de la jeunesse 04:53 Quelques projets visant à former les jeunes et à dynamiser les secteurs à fort potentiel 06:46 Soutenir le secteur privé, tout en valorisant l'engagement et l'authenticité 09:58 Conclusion À propos du People First Podcast:People First Podcast vient apporter un éclairage humain et concret sur les thématiques de développement spécifiques aux habitants d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du centre, et sur la contribution de la  Banque mondiale. People First Podcast, pour un développement durable et inclusif ! À propos du Groupe de la Banque mondiale:Le Groupe de la Banque mondiale est l'une des plus importantes sources de financement et de connaissances au monde pour les pays à faible revenu. Ses cinq institutions partagent l'engagement de réduire la pauvreté, d'accroître la prospérité partagée et de promouvoir le développement durable.

    12 min
  8. Empowering Youth: Jobs and Opportunities in Western and Central Africa | People First Podcast

    05/20/2025

    Empowering Youth: Jobs and Opportunities in Western and Central Africa | People First Podcast

    In this special edition of the People First Podcast, we explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the job market in Western and Central Africa. We have gathered the voices of young people from the region, who share their visions and aspirations for quality employment. We will examine what quality employment means to them, their expectations, and their proposals to invigorate the job market. Join us on a journey through their challenges and discover how they plan to stand out in the workforce. The People First podcast is available online, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcast. For more updates, follow us by subscribing, and don’t forget to rate and comment on this episode. Sequences 00:00 Introduction 01:48 The importance of education and youth empowerment programs 04:27 The key role of the private sector and the digital accessibility in job creation 08:12 Strategies for landing a good job in Western and Central Africa 11:09 Conclusion About People First PodcastPeople First Podcast provides a human angle to concrete development topics as they affect people in Western and Central Africa. It also features World Bank project and initiatives. Join us for a sustainable and inclusive development! About World Bank GroupThe World Bank Group 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.

    12 min
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People First Podcast puts a human face to the development topics relevant to people living in Western and Central Africa, and on the contribution of the World Bank. People First Podcast, for a sustainable and inclusive development! / People First Podcast vient apporter un éclairage humain et concret sur les thématiques de développement spécifiques aux habitants d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du centre, et sur la contribution de la Banque mondiale. People First Podcast, pour un développement durable et inclusif !

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