My people, e be like say World Bank don enter new level o! Dem don talk say dem dey move beyond just dey try small innovations dey here and there; now dem dey embed innovation for every corner of wetin dem dey do. Na wah!
According to wetin dem find out from 7,576 projects wey dem evaluate from 1998 till 2025, projects wey sabi incorporate new ideas dey shine pass those traditional ones. This one show say innovation don turn from dem small experiments wey no dey get serious attention to full-blown, structured strategy wey dey drive wetin dem dey do.
In the early 2000s, dem start to dey do small-small experiments with things like Learning and Innovation Loans and Development Marketplace. Fast forward to the 2010s, e be like say na that time innovation begin gather speed; dem create global departments and innovation labs, plus the rise of digital development wey enter the mix.
Now, 2020 don show say one out of six World Bank projects don include one form of innovation, and dem dey feel say this one na serious commitment. E mean say innovation no be just side hustle again; na hin dey at the center of their operations!
For instance, wey dem dey gather data, projects wey get innovation dey perform well anytime dem compare am with the standard ones. Even though only paltry 11 percent of all the projects from the past 25 years fit wear the innovation cap, dem no dey carry last for evaluation ratings.
One thing wey dem notice be say, as innovation dey improve, so e dey easy to scale new ideas. Back in the 90s, if you try pilot project, na just one out of five go fit replicate anywhere. But as the years dey go, by mid-2010s, almost half of dem pilots fit carry the go-solo. Na flexible financing, digital tools, and better support for countries dey push am for front.
Four major things dey push successful innovation: use of technology, smart operational delivery, working hand in hand with civil society and private sector, plus creative financing models. The context matter too, as simple innovations dey work better for fragile areas, while complex tech dey shine for middle-income countries with fine local ownership.
Some long-running initiatives don show how early trials don grow into serious scalable platforms. Like e-procurement wey start as digital pilots since the 90s, now na standard practice for plenty countries. Community-driven programmes dey pair local decision-making with digital tools, and scheme wey dey use cash transfer don turn to global delivery platforms.
As dem dey look forward, World Bank don position innovation as key to tackle big global wahala like climate issues, pandemics, and job creation. President Ajay Banga don carry “knowledge bank” vision come front, wey hope to move from fragmented trials to better, data-driven innovation wey go fit make real impact.
Part of wetin dem dey put for ground na Department for Innovation wey dem launch for 2024, to act as central hub to speed up new solutions. Na here creativity and new ideas for action go thrive as dem dey push to ensure better lives for the people!
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