Public Management

World Bank terminates Doing Business after data irregularities in previous reports

World Bank terminates Doing Business after data irregularities in previous reports
Friday, 17 September 2021 15:02

Since the 2020 edition, the World Bank had suspended the publication of the Doing Business to investigate irregularities in data. Yesterday, the institution announced it has terminated the publication after the irregularities were confirmed.

The Bank said the situation has led to a global outcry, given the prestige and importance of this ranking for states wishing to attract foreign investors in their economies. “Trust in the research of the World Bank Group is vital. World Bank Group research informs the actions of policymakers, helps countries make better-informed decisions, and allows stakeholders to measure economic and social improvements more accurately,” the statement said.

“After reviewing all the information available to date on Doing Business, including the findings of past reviews, audits, and the report the Bank released today on behalf of the Board of Executive Directors, World Bank Group management has taken the decision to discontinue the Doing Business report,” the Bank informed.

The investigation showed that several members of the World Bank have been pressured to manipulate the data used in this report, which highlights the efforts made by governments to improve the business climate in their countries. This pressure reportedly comes mainly from China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.

People involved in the matter include senior executives who are members of the team of World Bank‘s former President Jim Yong Kim. The latter resigned three years before the end of his term. The former executive director of the Bank and current managing director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, is also involved. In a statement issued on Thursday, the official also took offense at these accusations, saying she disagreed with the conclusions and interpretations of the investigation.

As a reminder, Doing Business was criticized by several World Bank economists who questioned the calculation methods used in the publication. Many civil society organizations also questioned the document. According to them, too many governments were implementing legislative reforms just to climb the rankings without any real impact on the level of development in their countries.

The main countries involved in this scandal are those that have the power to influence reports such as Doing Business. With these new developments, it is hard not to wonder whether the rankings of poor economies with less power to exert such pressure have been objective.

"Going forward, we will be working on a new approach to assessing the business and investment climate," the World Bank concluded.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector could grow to $20 bln annually and create 20 mln...
• BRICS plans a guarantee fund to reduce political and financial risks in developing countries.• The fund will be managed by the New Development Bank...
BEAC granted Afreximbank the first-ever foreign access to the CEMAC public securities market. Cameroon raised $359.3 million via a...
(EBID) - The Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) held its 92nd Ordinary Session on June 30, 2025. The Board...
Most Read
01

• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...

Coffee: Global Consumption Expected to Reach Record Level in 2025/2026
02

In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...

In Five Years, Francophone Africa Will be A Major Force in African Tech –Régis Bamba
03

• BOAD releases CFA10 billion ($17.8 million) to support Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines.• Burkina F...

BOAD Grants CFA10 Billion to Revive Boungou and Wahgnion Gold Mines in Burkina Faso
04

Transport and food prices have been climbing steadily across Africa in recent years. In Côte d’Ivoir...

Côte d’Ivoire’s Fuel Price Cuts Haven’t Slashed Transport Costs–Yet
05

• Burkina Faso-based financial group, Vista Group Holding, has acquired a majority stake in Société ...

Burkina Faso: Vista Group Acquires Controlling Stake in Société Générale
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.