Prioritizing Infrastructure Investment: From Current Assets to Future Growth

Global Development Lab Guest Lecture with Dr. Stéphane Straub

Infrastructure underpins economic growth, shapes development trajectories, and determines how effectively societies deliver value to their people. Yet decisions around infrastructure investment are rarely simple; often constrained by incomplete data, unclear returns, and competing priorities.

In this talk, Dr. Stéphane Straub, Chief Economist for the Infrastructure Vice-Presidency at the World Bank Group, will present the findings of a new WBG report – Prioritizing Infrastructure Investment. The report draws on a comprehensive analysis of infrastructure assets across many countries, examining the social rates of return on infrastructure investment and how countries can optimise their investment mix to maximise value for people.

The report and its accompanying datasets are designed to equip governments, practitioners, and development finance experts with the tools to prioritise infrastructure investments more effectively.

Dr. Straub will present the report’s findings and reflect on the World Bank Group’s broader learning from infrastructure projects around the world, followed by a Q&A session.

Agenda:

10.00-10.05 – Welcome from Dr. Mirabelle Muuls

10.05-10.30 – Presentation by Dr. Stéphane Straub

10.30-10.50 – Q&A Session, chaired by Dr. Mirabelle Muuls

10.50 – Close

About the Speaker

Dr. Stéphane Straub is a distinguished economist and scholar renowned for his extensive contributions to the fields of economics, infrastructure development, and institutional economics. As the Chief Economist for the Infrastructure Vice-Presidency, Stéphane brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to drive forward the analysis of transformative infrastructure projects and policies.

This is an in-person only event. No registration is required.