Lelo Nxumalo

A reflection on designing climate-responsive safety nets in one of the world's most vulnerable economies 📄 Original World Bank Project Document: Sierra Leone Productive Social Safety Nets and Youth Employment Project Additional Financing (P180035) Sierra Leone sits at a dangerous intersection. The country ranks among the 15 worst climate-affected economies globally, while simultaneously grappling with persistent poverty, fragile institutions, and a youth bulge that threatens social stability. During my time at the World Bank, I worked on a project that tried to address both challenges at once—and the lessons remain relevant as climate shocks intensify across developing economies. The Perfect Storm The August 2022 protests in Freetown weren't just about rising food and fuel prices. They were a symptom of deepe...