from August 2021

PEP is offering four online distance-learning courses in Applied Development Economics from January to April 2022.

Courses in Policy Impact Analysis, Computable General Equilibrium Modelling, Measuring and Alleviating Poverty and Inequality, and Gender Analysis in Economic Policy Research.

Application deadline: October 1, 2021

Find out more & apply

For any questions not covered on the announcement page, the online courses web page, or in the the syllabi, please write to oc@pep-net.org.

Facilitating the financial inclusion of Benin's rural women micro-entrepreneurs

Despite the majority of women in rural Benin developing microenterprises, most remain financially excluded. A variety of government and financial institution programs have aimed to address this problem by offering microcredit. However, most of these programs have been marked by low repayment rates. A team of local researchers found that informal financing can be better than formal credit for increasing the profits of women-led rural microenterprises, depending on the age and education level of the woman entrepreneur, and the type of activity she is operating. The flexibility of financing through social networks appears to be the main advantage of informal credit.

Find out more in the PEP policy brief 233 and the working paper 2021-07

Diversification strategies and well-being of rural women in Senegal

Women in Senegal provide 60% of the agricultural labour force and over 70% of food production, but the majority in rural areas are poor and their production capacity is limited. The Senegalese government is supporting agricultural diversification under its inclusive development objectives. However, a team of local PEP researchers have found that non-farm diversification is more effective. When women participate in high-yield non-agricultural activities, their monthly income increases, they gain economic empowerment and their household food security improves.

Find out more in the PEP policy brief 237 and the working paper 2021-16

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