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Blog post
Cholera in Zambia: Treating the causes, not the symptoms
The recurrent cholera outbreaks in Zambia should provoke reflection on the root causes. Together with a strategic focus on improving water and sanitation infrastructure it will be necessary to complement new investments with reforms to address the problem of weak institutions to achieve a lasting solution to the problem. Since October last year, Zambia has been battling a...
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Blog post
Time is now: Pressing for progress for all women and girls
On International Women’s Day, the IGC hosted a high-level panel discussion on gender inequality and press coverage for girls and women. Laura Sili explores the themes touched upon at this event, and reflects on the global movement towards gender equality the world has witnessed in 2017. International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change...
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Blog post
Do school electrification and provision of digital media deliver educational benefits?
Does school electrification affect educational achievement? Does jointly providing educational video affect educational achievement? A first of its kind study in Tanzania attempts to find answers to these questions. There is a substantial gap in economic literature exploring the effect of school electrification on education achievement. Recently, a cross-sector...
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Blog post
Electronic salary payment for better financial planning in Bangladesh
Electronic payments smooth consumption by reducing transaction costs and avoiding drops in consumption at the end of the month, thereby generating welfare benefits for workers and business. However, this is dependent on the timing of the payment. Low-income households around the world face the challenge of budgeting their monthly lump-sum salary payment until the next...
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Blog post
A renewed South Africa?
Following an ultimatum from his own party, Jacob Zuma resigned as the President of South Africa on 14 February 2018. There is a sense of relief that the Zuma era is over, and optimism at the prospect of new leadership. However, cleaning out the deep corruption that’s taken root in South Africa will be no small feat. What lies ahead? This past week has seen a notable...
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Blog post
Vocational training programs in India are leaving women behind, but this needn’t be the case
Less than 25% of women are employed in their skilled job for more than three months and are also less likely to receive and accept job offers than men. Migration is a key constraint, with job location being a strong predictor of female outcomes. Skill India Many low- and middle-income countries have launched government-funded vocational training programmes to help youth...
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Blog post
Reforming India’s energy market: Towards centralised production
To improve efficiency and integrate renewable energy, a centralised economic dispatch model is recommended. A real-time energy market with gate closure should also be introduced. Such market reforms require robust market monitoring and surveillance. An energy market design that enables buyers to meet their energy requirements, while allowing sellers to adjust their...
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Blog post
Conflict and firms: Industrial organisation in the face of insecurity
Conflict has a long shadow, and its role in inhibiting development is clear. Today, a billion and a half people live in countries affected by fragility, conflict, or violence (World Bank 2011). The important decisions individuals make in their daily lives – where to travel, where to live, where to work – are all haunted by the spectre of violence. Not only does personal...
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Blog post
The economic gender gap in the garment sector in Bangladesh and Ghana
An oversupply of female entrepreneurs results in fewer opportunities for women. This is compounded by higher costs of changing jobs for women due to household responsibilities, and promotion rates being significantly lower for females than males. The gender gap and economic participation The findings of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) research on closing the gender gap...
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Blog post
Consumer welfare impacts of high transport costs in rural Ethiopia
Access to a variety of manufactured goods reduces in relation to the distance from urban centers. Accordingly, reductions in transport costs increase consumer welfare through higher incomes, lower prices, and increased variety. Transport and consumption in Ethiopia Transport costs reduce consumer welfare, not only through lower incomes and higher prices, but also...
Blog post
Evidence-based tax policy: A policymaker’s perspective
Collaborative research can play an important role in addressing the challenges that tax authorities in Africa face. IGC’s regional tax conference in Lusaka brought together tax authorities from several African countries to share their experiences and insights on using evidence in tax policy design and enforcement. Tax collection agencies across the world are facing...