Governments across the developing world have made rural electrification a high priority over the last two decades. Yet despite the rapid expansion of the power sector during this period, by 1990, only about 44 percent of the more than 3.3 billion people living in rural areas had access to...

This study presents the results of the research by a team of experts working in the energy sector of Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union. The objective of the study is to identify successful policies and measures that were employed to address the problem of non-payments in the energy sector.

This paper discusses issues and explores options related to the reform of the power sector regulatory system in China. It reviews the power sector's current situation and impediments to reform, examines the relationship between power sector structure and regulation, and suggests several...

There has been tremendous growth worldwide in the mobilization of financial resources outside traditional banking systems. Channeled mainly through capital markets, such rapid financial diversification is posing new challenges for regulators in many emerging markets. This document describes the...

The 'Linking up: Public-Private Partnerships in Power Transmission in Africa' report examines private sector-led investments in transmission globally and how this approach is applicable in sub-Saharan Africa. The private sector has invested over US

This paper presents a situation analysis of small scale enterprises in Zimbabwe, examines the constraints faced by them, describes some of the changes that have taken place in the institutional and regulatory environment in recent years, under the structural adjustment program, and suggests an...

The World Bank has long been active in the Europe and Central Asia region in monitoring and evaluating land reform developments and supporting the development of land markets. Bank efforts to date have made a significant impact in client countries, and studies produced by the Bank have been used...