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Blog post
How exchange rate fluctuations impact imports and domestic prices: Evidence from Rwanda
The depreciating Rwandan Franc has affected imports and domestic prices in Rwanda. Customs data and electronic billing machine data show firms exhibiting some degree of import substitution, and suggests that importers can act as ‘shock absorbers’ of exchange rate fluctuations. In recent years, the Rwandan Franc (RWF) has depreciated significantly against a wide...
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Blog post
Climate change action could set off a copper mining boom: how Zambia can make the most of it
As the world transitions to renewable energy, new growth opportunities figure for Zambia. The demand for copper, a key component of renewable energy technology, is set to rise. Zambia has 6% of the world’s copper and can promote inclusive growth through this copper boom by harnessing the non-tax benefits of mining. At last year’s US-Africa leaders summit in...
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Blog post
Data and research journey of a 'smart city': the City of Cape Town's practical approach towards evidence-based decision-making
‘Smart Cities’ have the potential to leverage big data and advanced analytics to improve residents’ standards of living. Over 20 years, the City of Cape Town illustrates how cities can grow towards maturity in using data and research to improve city outcomes. Data and research provide evidence from which local governments can make more informed decisions, improving...
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Blog post
Electricity reforms when electricity is an entitlement: The case of Lahore, Pakistan
Contrasting electricity outage patterns in low- and high-income neighbourhoods in Lahore and Karachi suggest that political control over electricity distribution utilities makes privatisation and market-oriented reforms challenging. Countries strive to provide affordable, reliable, and efficient supply of electricity to their citizens. Reforms are integral to reaching...
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Blog post
Rethinking climate finance to solve the sustainable urbanisation challenge
Climate finance in its current form is unlikely to solve the "financing gap" for sustainable urbanisation in developing cities and may even serve to exacerbate inequalities between rich and poor countries. Unaddressed climate change can result in the shrinking of the world economy by 18% in the next 30 years with losses being disproportionately greater in developing...
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Blog post
How reforming energy systems can tackle climate risks: Evidence from Pakistan
Severe floods in Pakistan last year brought to fore the rapid, worsening effects of climate change confronting the country. At the LSE Environment Week, researchers and policymakers discussed the challenges facing Pakistan’s energy system and how it needs to be rebuilt for future climate risks. Pakistan’s extreme flood events in 2022 affected over 33 million people and...
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Blog post
The long-term welfare impacts of natural disasters: Evidence from Ugandan landslides
When natural disasters displace households, impacts on welfare can last for years after the event and vary depending on the extent of response. Between 2008 and 2018, around 265 million people were displaced by natural disasters around the world. While climate change threatens to increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters, studying the impacts of displacement...
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Blog post
Can the world afford an increase in Africa’s share of global emissions?
Despite contributing the least to climate change, many African countries experience the brunt of its impacts, yet they may have to increase their share of global emissions whilst targeting climate change adaptation. The UN Secretary-General characterises the main hurdle preventing collective and decisive climate action as a climate of mistrust. Beyond this mistrust, there...
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Blog post
Peace or conflict? The impact of private investment in African countries
Private investments can ameliorate or exacerbate conflict in fragile countries depending on the extent to which they are subtractive or additive to the local capital stock. Private sector involvement in peacebuilding processes has been promoted and aided since the early 2000s, especially by multilateral agencies. Evidence of this interest is traceable in official...
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Blog post
Industrialising Africa: Why China’s investments matter for Africa
Many African countries remain in search of structural transformation and Chinese resources and experience could be a significant contributor to industrial development on the continent. Since the onset of the China-Africa debate, focus has been on the consequent opportunities and challenges for African development, and particularly, for industrialisation. Scholars not only...
Blog post
Data and research journey of a ‘smart city’: the City of Cape Town’s practical approach towards evidence-based decision-making
‘Smart Cities’ have the potential to leverage big data and advanced analytics to improve residents’ standards of living. Over 20 years, the City of Cape Town illustrates how cities can grow towards maturity in using data and research to improve city outcomes. Data and research provide evidence from which local governments can make more informed decisions, improving...