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World Bank President Renews Calls for China to be More Transparent in its Lending Practices

by Eric Olander
World Bank President David Malpass met with Togo President Faure Gnassingbé on March 31, 2023 in what was his last official visit to Africa. Image via @DavidMalpassWBG.

The outgoing president of the World Bank, David Malpass, again expressed his concern about the opacity of China’s lending practices to developing countries. He told the BBC that Beijing needs to be “more transparent.”

Malpass’s comments are the latest in a string of pointed criticisms of China’s role in the unfolding debt crisis in Africa, Asia and other Global South regions. Previously, he’s blamed China for the slow pace of Zambia’s debt restructuring and for not doing enough to support the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative.

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