KAMPALA – When the World Bank asked nearly 27,000 people around the world what they thought of its work, the answers revealed a striking contradiction. Confidence in the institution is at its highest level in a decade, yet many of the people it works with believe corruption and slow decision-making continue to undermine the impact of development projects. Uganda is due to take part in the Bank’s next Country Opinion Survey in 2026, and the findings offer an early indication of the questions likely to shape that conversation.
The Fiscal Year 2025 Country Opinion Survey serves as a global report card on how governments, development partners, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders view the World Bank Group. Rather than measuring the success of individual projects, it examines whether the institution is trusted, whether its advice is useful and what obstacles continue to prevent development from delivering better lives.
The results suggest the Bank is strengthening its reputation among those who work most closely with it.
Globally, trust in the World Bank Group has risen to 7.4 out of 10, the highest level recorded in the past decade. Seven in 10 clients said the institution had been “very helpful” in helping them achieve the goals of their projects. The survey also found that governments and development partners increasingly value the Bank’s ability to bring different organisations together to solve complex problems, not just its loans and grants.
That finding reflects a broader shift in the Bank’s role. Beyond financing roads, schools and energy projects, it is increasingly acting as a technical adviser, helping governments design policies, coordinate donors and share international experience.
Yet the survey also points to frustrations that continue to affect the institution’s work.
Although respondents praised the technical quality of World Bank programmes, many said the organisation remains too slow. Only about 22 per cent believed the speed of project approvals had improved over the previous two years. For countries facing urgent challenges, delays can mean that funding arrives long after communities need it.
The survey’s most significant finding, however, lies outside the Bank itself.
Nearly half of respondents, about 48 per cent, identified corruption as the biggest reason reforms succeed slowly or fail altogether. Political pressure within individual countries was also cited as a major obstacle.
This suggests that even well-funded development programmes may struggle if public institutions lack transparency or if political interests interfere with implementation. Development finance can provide resources, but it cannot by itself overcome weaknesses in governance.
The survey also highlights challenges facing businesses in lower-income countries eligible for support from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s poorest nations.
Among respondents in those countries, 68 per cent identified access to finance as the biggest barrier to business growth. At the same time, nearly half pointed to corruption as another major obstacle, suggesting that entrepreneurs often face two separate hurdles: finding affordable financing and operating in an environment where governance problems increase uncertainty.
The findings also reveal where stakeholders believe the World Bank should focus its resources.
Education, agriculture and health ranked as the sectors where respondents most want the institution to invest. Demand for digital infrastructure also continues to grow as internet access becomes increasingly important for education, business and access to public services.
Another notable finding concerns the Bank’s research.
Two-thirds of respondents, 66 per cent, said World Bank reports and analysis had influenced government policy in their countries. The institution refers to this work as its “knowledge work,” which includes research, policy advice and technical studies intended to help governments make informed decisions.
Looking ahead, stakeholders want the Bank to broaden the range of people it works with.
Rather than relying mainly on central governments, respondents called for stronger partnerships with civil society organisations, commonly known as CSOs. These groups often work directly with communities and can provide independent feedback on whether development programmes are reaching the people they are intended to help. Respondents also urged the Bank to engage more closely with young people and marginalised communities so that development decisions reflect a wider range of voices.
In the case of Uganda, the survey comes at an important moment. The country is expected to participate in the 2026 round of the Country Opinion Survey, allowing government officials, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders to assess how the World Bank’s programmes are performing locally.
The global findings suggest that while the Bank continues to enjoy growing confidence, trust alone is not enough. Faster implementation, stronger institutions and greater accountability remain essential if development projects are to translate into better schools, stronger health systems, more jobs and improved living standards.
As the World Bank prepares for its next round of consultations, the challenge will not simply be measuring public opinion. It will be showing that the concerns raised, from corruption and bureaucratic delays to greater public participation, lead to tangible improvements in how development is delivered.
The author can be contacted at spinmukasa@gmail.com.