The World Bank Group (WBG) is strengthening its Country Engagement Approach to better align it with a country’s development goals as well as our mission and vision. Our new approach is more efficient, outcome-focused, and systematic in tapping private sector solutions and will help countries tackle their development challenges with greater speed, quality, and impact, boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and working toward ending poverty.
The World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which is the centerpiece of this new approach, is the key tool that guides our strategic engagement with countries. Typically spanning four to six years, with a maximum duration of ten years, it aligns the World Bank Group's support with a country's development goals and the new WBG Scorecard.
A new approach to country engagement
This approach was designed based on the experiences of several countries in 2025, and an extended series of consultations were held with key stakeholders worldwide to inform the development of the approach that focuses on six key areas:
One World Bank Group
This new approach focuses on better delivering public and private solutions for growth and job creation.Integrating all Bank Group instruments is key to securing the financing and solutions needed for a successful CPF.
Selectivity
CPFs will be more selective and outcome-oriented to scale up impact, linking World Bank Group Scorecard indicators to a smaller number of desired outcomes.
Simplicity
New CPFs are designed for efficiency and easier preparation for both the WBG and client countries. They use a Results Framework to monitor implementation and maintain dialogue with clients, and this can be adjusted through the annual business planning exercises. With this new approach, CPF coverage can extend up to 10 years to support longer-term development goals.
Strategy and Implementation
The new CPF is more focused, dynamic, and responsive to changing circumstances. This ensures that operational needs are not only in sync with immediate strategic objectives but also contribute to broader development priorities.
Knowledge
This will play a central role throughout the lifecycle of a CPF. The approach promotes joint knowledge development and learning from peer countries through dedicated Knowledge Advisory Teams (KATs) that advise each country team and instill global and regional knowledge into CPFs.
Partnerships
Robust partnerships are central to our new country strategies, helping the WBG focus on areas of significant impact and leverage partner strengths. This allows for greater complementarity, reinforces program selectivity and scales up impact.Consultations with partners and other stakeholders are integral to CPF preparation and implementation.
