Trade costs in Africa

June 2008    Africa’s share of world exports has dropped by nearly two-thirds in three decades from 2.9 percent in 1976 to 0.9 percent in 2006. High trade costs—for transporting goods and getting them across borders—have a negative impact on prospects for expanding African trade, making producers less competitive. Featured article    

China's rapid urbanization

June 2008    Between now and 2025, it’s likely that another 200 to 250 million people will migrate to China’s cities, adding to an existing mobile population of about 155 million. Providing jobs and infrastructure for this anticipated inflow of people poses major challenges. Rapid economic growth will remain critical, with further deepening of the capital markets needed to help finance urbanization.  Featured article