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Project
Developing a forecasting and policy analysis system for Tanzania
The aim of this project is to provide technical support to the Research Department of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) with their development of a new modelling tool, the Forecasting and Policy Analysis System (FPAS). The FPAS is being designed to assist the BoT in the formulation and implementation of monetary policy as it makes the transition from a monetary policy framework,...
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Project
Assessing waste management services in Kigali
Kigali is Rwanda's main urban centre and possesses the country’s highest population growth. It is estimated that the city collects 300-350 tonnes of waste per day, all of which is dumped at a single landfill. High growth rates have put pressure on the city's existing waste management services including capacity constraints on the city's landfill and waste collection...
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Project
Digital information channels in the Rwandan potato value chain
There are several challenges in modernising agricultural value chains in developing countries. A substantial one is the high unit cost of connecting a vast and remote population of small-scale growers (henceforth, growers) to markets and useful information. The introduction of information and communication technology (ICT) into this sector holds great promise for...
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Project
Financial management capital and school performance: Evidence from Mozambique
This project examines whether better financial management capabilities of local authorities and school directors improves the delivery of education services in the developing world. Compared to the private sector, little is known about the role of financial management capital in the public sector. Particularly in the context of underperforming education systems in the...
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Project
Relaxing seasonal constraints to improve labour productivity: Scaling-up with a private sector partner (country wide project)
In Zambia, small-scale agriculture employs the vast majority of the rural population, despite low levels of productivity and farming income. Most small-scale farms run out of food and cash four to five months after the harvest. Consequently, farmers engage in costly strategies to finance consumption until the next harvest, most commonly selling family labour off-farm in the...
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Project
The political economy of decentralisation in Zambia
This project will examine the constraints of implementing decentralisation policies in Zambia and enhancing the capacities of local government. Capable, autonomous, and democratic local governments theoretically offer a mechanism for redressing socio-economic inequalities by identifying citizen concerns, allocating resources accordingly, and being held accountable for...
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Project
Review of grant-aided institutions in Zambia
Grant-aided institutions represent a significant cadre of public organisations in Zambia. This project aims to review the modalities used to execute and finance the public functions undertaken by these institutions. It is a response to a request from the Budget Office under the Ministry of Finance to review and assess the cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of the...
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Project
Foreign investment to medium-sized firms: A boost to post-conflict economic recovery?
After Liberia emerged from two brutal civil wars, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was voted into office. Her focus was on rebranding Liberia away from “a nation in permanent violent turmoil” by opening Liberia’s doors to foreign direct investment (FDI). A group of economists have conducted research specifically on large natural resource FDI flows into Liberia and how it...
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Project
Relaxing seasonal constraints to improve labour productivity: Scaling-up with a private sector partner
In Zambia, small-scale agriculture employs the vast majority of the rural population, despite low levels of productivity and farming income. Recent studies have demonstrated that small scale farmers are most likely to deviate from their original production plan during the “hungry season” that precedes the harvest. Since harvest occurs once a year, most of these farmers...
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Project
Experimental impacts of Tanzania’s conditional cash transfer on household investment choices
There has been a debate within Tanzania's government about whether to continue the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN), a project which supports social insurance and assistance to the poorest households. Some policymakers have argued that the PSSN has had few results on children and negative labour supply effects by getting households “on the dole”, despite little...
Project
Female politicians and economic growth: Evidence from state elections in India
The project studies close elections between men and women for election to India's state legislative assemblies. It finds significantly higher growth in economic activity in constituencies that elect women. Given average GDP growth in India of about 7% per year (during the study period), the researchers estimate the growth premium for constituencies from having a...