UNU-WIDER presents latest research at CSAE conference in Oxford

A notable body of UNU-WIDER-supported research is presented at the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) Conference on Economic Development in Africa, taking place at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, from 23-25 March 2025.

Papers presented at the CSAE conference contribute to UNU-WIDER’s broader efforts to strengthen evidence-based policymaking in Africa, using data and empirical research to inform economic decisions. 

One paper is presented in relation to the UNU-WIDER Tax research for development project.  

• Senior Research Fellow Jukka Pirttilä presents the paper 'Audits and Tax Compliance: Evidence from Uganda, investigating how tax audits influence compliance behaviour'

One paper part of the UNU-WIDER Inclusive Growth Mozambique (IGM) country programme.

• Research Fellow Sam Jones presents the paper 'How reliable are national accounts estimates of agricultural output?'

These papers are funded by the UNU-WIDER Southern Africa - Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) programme.  

• Michelle Pleace presents the paper 'Appointment of directors in South Africa: an administrative data perspective'
• Research Associate Rodrigo Oliveira presents the paper 'Carbon Taxation in Emerging Economies: Evidence from South Africa'
• Fadzayi Chingwere presents the paper 'Donations and Tax Incentives: Evidence from South Africa'
• Giacomo Brusco presents the paper 'Wait No More: How the Administration of VAT Refunds Impacts Firm Behavior'

In addition to the research presentations, the SA-TIED programme will be featured in a dedicated session led by Aimable Nsabimana. This session will provide an overview of the programme’s objectives, its role in advancing economic research, and the use of the National Treasury Secure Data Facility. The discussion will highlight how researchers can access and utilize this secure data platform to produce policy-relevant insights.  

The annual three-day CSAE Conference includes a keynote speech, panel discussions, and parallel sessions covering a range of development economics topics. It serves as a gathering for experts from the development economics community to explore issues related to Africa, such as growth, inequality, tax policy, climate change, and governance.