The World Bank exerts influence over the development policies of low and middle income countries. It does this through various channels, including financial operations, policy advice and ‘knowledge products’ such as research and diagnostics tools. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and academics have investigated conditions attached to both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank loans and the tendency to advance a donor-driven reform agenda in recipient countries, undermining democratic ownership of development policies.

This discussion paper investigates the policy influence of one strand of diagnostics tools promoted by the WBG (WBG) – The Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD).

Report by Eurodad