Economy
Analysis
Colombia caught in financial turmoil
Colombia has just lost its investment grade status in the aftermath of the Covid crisis, indicating a loss of confidence from international markets. The likely consequence from such an event is a drop in growth rate and further financial constraints for the Colombian government. This is however...
Other news
Analysis
Perception and inequalities: how does bias contribute to reality?
In Mexico, individuals want more social mobility, less inequality, and lower taxes. But these desires are not always compatible… To what extent our perceptions and our experiences feed each other? First episode of our series on inequalities.
Opinion
African economy, recovery and COVID: a major shock but no panic
The recovery of African economy after the COVID-19 crisis runs the risk of being uneven, widening differences that exist around the continent, but also with the rest of the world. How can this be avoided? Solutions do exist and are at the heart of the Paris Summit this May 18th.
Interview
Jason Hickel: “Europe’s economic growth has always ultimately relied on appropriation from the South”
In his last essay published in 2020 Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World, Jason Hickel, economist and specialist on inequalities, urges to end capitalism and choose degrowth to avoid the ecological collapse. In the first of a two-part interview, he comes back on propositions for a...
Interview
Textile workers, victims of COVID-19 with no safety net
Underpaid and with no social protection, textile workers hired in low-cost countries are paying a high price for the Covid-19 crisis which is affecting the entire garment industry. Nayla Ajaltouni, General Delegate of Collectif Éthique sur l’Étiquette, tells us all about it.
Opinion
Remittances are growing in South Asia despite Covid-19
International remittances play a major role for economic development in South Asia, with most inflows originating in Gulf countries. The latter economies have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, but this has had, for most South Asian countries, little impact on the growing volumes of hard...
Opinion
Internet and Africa: what cyberspace for tomorrow?
African countries have never been faced with such decisive choices in the construction of a cyberspace that respects freedoms and meets the needs of their citizens. One of the continent’s main challenges for the future.
Opinion
COVID-19 and inequality: the blind spots of “whatever the cost”
The political response to the COVID-19 pandemic, guided by the European Central Bank, could contribute to exacerbating the inequalities already deepened by the health and social crisis.
Opinion
Africa, an emerging continent
While identifying truly emerging African countries is a complex task, Africa boasts the resources needed for rapid growth as a continent through the development of a common trade market, and subsequently, a financial market.
Opinion
COVID-19: a super spreader of inequality
In a world where the COVID-19 pandemic is drastically increasing poverty, a report shows that the most resilient countries are those resolutely committed to reducing inequality. They can show us the way.
Opinion
Lessons from the pandemic: the need to liberate and decolonize African economies
In addition to the COVID-19 crisis, the pandemic’s impact on Western and Asian economies is having a knock-on effect in Africa. It is now clear from the current state of affairs that decolonizing African economies is essential.
Shared Innovation
Can artificial intelligence help achieve sustainable development?
Through appropriate design and responsible implementation, sustainable development can benefit from emerging uses of artificial intelligence while mitigating the risks.
Opinion
Central Banks at the Heart of the International Response to the Ecological Crisis
The role of our central banks is crucial to reducing the level of uncertainty surrounding the ecological transition and encouraging the private sector to also make a commitment to carbon neutrality and restoring ecosystems.
Opinion
A restrictive framework for eliminating human rights violations in the textile industry
It is currently vital to implement restrictive regulations in the textile sector so that a truly responsible industry can emerge and contribute to the development of textile producing countries while respecting human rights.
Opinion
How can we fight carbon leakage in Europe and boost development assistance?
One solution for accelerating the energy transition could be to increase the price per ton of carbon in production costs, while establishing a border adjustment mechanism to avoid penalizing European industrialists.
Opinion
Coronavirus promotes collective e-learning
Digital platforms are not only sources of knowledge, they can also help construct sustainable development trajectories through learning, in keeping with the terms of the Paris Agreement.
Opinion
African swine fever threatens an entire production system in South-East Asia
Since African swine fever emerged in the region a few years ago, it has devastated family-run pig farms, often the mainstay of people’s livelihoods and a driver of upward mobility.
Opinion
“Green budgeting”: paths to creating real added value
Few green budgeting initiatives have led to concrete reforms or revisions of priority investments. How can we move from simple theoretical exercises to concrete action for the environment?
Opinion
G20 governments must urgently align their export credits with the Paris Agreement
Export Credit Agencies of G20 countries are still providing billions of dollars in support to fossil fuel projects. This aggravates the lock-in of carbon intensive infrastructures and directly contradicts the commitments under the Paris Agreement against climate change.
Opinion
Urban citizen funds, a means to improve housing in Dakar
In Dakar, residents are joining forces to improve their housing and flood-damaged neighbourhoods, through rotating funds from the Senegalese Federation of Inhabitants. This solidarity-based initiative aims to rethink the role of stakeholders, financing, and the management of urban development at...
Opinion
Covid-19: how to support the informal sector beyond the crisis
Governments have introduced emergency measures to assist the informal sector, a key component in developing countries. Economist Cecilia Poggi and urban planner Irène Salenson (AFD) argue that this aid must go much further, however.
Opinion
Masks for all Citizens and Basic Income Payment: Morocco’s Response to Covid-19
With fewer than 200 deaths to date, so far Morocco has managed to curb the spread of the epidemic. Nonetheless, there is fear that a sharp rise in poverty is imminent.
Opinion
There can be no Green New Deal unless it is global
Economist Étienne Espagne believes that a climate alliance between Europe and China must act as a driving force for the rest of the world in 2020 and could be the first step towards a global Green New Deal.
Opinion
French overseas territories: long-term growth driven by gains in productivity
The living standards gap between France and its overseas departments and regions has halved over the past fifty years. This economic and human progress can continue through 2050, provided that productivity gains are achieved to counteract the recessionary effects of increasingly slow population...
Interview
Amadou Gallo Fall: “Basketball, a powerful tool for Africa’s development”
The Basketball Africa League, based on the NBA model, will make its debut in March. The launch provides an opportunity for the league’s president, Amadou Gallo Fall, to assert the key role that sports will play in Africa’s development.