Growth Academy: Advancing Economic Transformation in Middle-Income Countries
The Growth Academy is an intensive summer program organized by the University of Chicago, the World Bank, and the Institute for Economic Development. Designed to tackle the unique challenges faced by middle-income countries, the Growth Academy brings together leading experts from over two dozen countries to explore innovative, evidence-based solutions to economic issues such as the “middle-income trap.”
Through immersive learning that combines thought-provoking lectures, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions, participants develop a deep understanding of policies that drive sustainable, inclusive growth. The program includes breakout sessions and case-based exercises to encourage collaboration, creativity, and practical application of research to real-world scenarios.
The Growth Academy builds upon the foundation of the World Development Report 2024: The Middle-Income Trap, transforming its key insights into actionable knowledge. Policymakers and scholars not only learn from the report’s evidence but also contribute valuable perspectives from the ground.
To ensure its reach is both global and locally grounded, the Growth Academy supplements its flagship summer program with a series of regional workshops held around the world. These localized events bring together regional experts and decision-makers to tailor discussions to context-specific needs.
Recent Growth Academy events have taken place in Romania and Egypt, with plans underway to expand across Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America. This expansion reflects a commitment to equipping local leaders with the latest research and fostering cross-regional collaboration.
Regional Growth Academies
Building on the success of the inaugural Growth Academy in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) Growth Academy was held in Cairo, Egypt, in April 2025. This regional edition was co-hosted in partnership with the Economic Research Forum of Egypt.
Participants included think tanks, policymakers, academics, and regional development practitioners. The program also included a special panel featuring Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt; and Roberta Gatti, World Bank Chief Economist of the Middle East and North Africa. The MENA Growth Academy concluded with a hands-on workshop on Modeling Long-Term Growth in Developing Countries, which helped attendees simulate future growth trajectories using real-world data and methodologies.
In May 2025, the Growth Academy opened a new presence in Europe and Central Asia with the ECA Growth Academy held in Bucharest, Romania. The conference in ECA brought together policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners from across the region for a three-day, intensive workshop. Organized in partnership with the National Bank of Romania, the program adapted the core curriculum of the Growth Academy to regional challenges, with sessions on innovation, firm dynamics, and inclusive growth.
Participants shared their own policy experiences, engaged directly with leading scholars, and built new networks to support future collaboration and experimentation.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to attend regional chapters of the Growth Academy, or apply to join the Growth Academy in Chicago, USA, on July 2025.
