Published
03/23/2026, 14:38Over the coming decade, the educational activities of multilateral development banks (MDBs) will evolve from a supporting role into one of their key non-investment instruments. This forecast is based on an analysis of long-term trends in the sector.
MDBs are expected to actively develop open educational resources, reducing costs through the implementation of digital solutions. Key drivers include online platforms, artificial intelligence and VR/AR technologies, which will enable personalised learning and broaden access to programmes.
Partnerships with educational institutions and EdTech platforms, such as Coursera and edX, will play a significant role. This will ensure access to a global audience and strengthen the integration of educational initiatives into the international development agenda.
At the same time, MDBs will focus on localising content — courses will be adapted to national languages and the institutional characteristics of countries. This should enhance the effectiveness of programmes and their practical applicability.
Another area of focus will be the integration of training into loan and grant projects, as well as into government workforce development programmes. In this way, educational components could become an integral part of development project implementation.
Furthermore, MDBs will begin to assess the effectiveness of their initiatives more actively, introducing quantitative metrics and reallocating resources between online and offline formats.
Particular emphasis will be placed on developing ‘soft’ skills — communication, leadership and management — which are becoming critical to project implementation.
Experts note that, in the long term, MDB educational programmes could become a tool for disseminating international standards, whilst support for alumni communities could reinforce the long-term impact of such initiatives.
