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Blog
Net zero in African cities: why the next climate dollar must land in Africa’s neighbourhoods
In most African cities, the next climate dollar will not build a wind farm. It will matter more if it drains a flooded alley, cools a classroom, or...
Blog
Moving away from traditional aid—or are we moving back?
You often hear the expression ‘moving away from traditional aid’ these days (here, here, and here). It gives a flare of progress—as if we’re finally...
Blog
Ending poverty while protecting nature – an interview with Tony AddisonOn 23 October 2025, the Helsinki Book Fair helped mark the 80th birthday of the United Nations. The annual convention hosted a live interview with the...
Blog
New SAESIR model shows why decarbonization is South Africa’s cheapest energy pathA report by a consortium of public sector institutions provides a detailed and carefully researched contribution to the democratic debate South...
About
Secure research data labs: unlocking evidence-based policy in Africa through dataUNU-WIDER is working with national revenue authorities across sub-Saharan Africa to establish secure research data labs. These pioneering facilities enable researchers to access anonymized administrative tax data in a controlled, secure environment. The labs are transforming how data is used for policy-relevant research across the continent. More and better data fosters a strong research evidence base to answer long-standing policy questions.
Blog
How our tax gap research fed into the Zambia Budget 2026As researchers, we believe that research makes a difference when formulating policies. We look for gaps in knowledge, confirm its relevance to...
Book
Poor ProtectionThis book examines the role of social protection and taxation systems in developing countries during times of crises. The main objective of the work is to promote understanding about proper crisis response, and the way social protection and tax...
Blog
A WIDER view on development – the early years
This essay is adapted from David C. Engerman’s new book, Apostles of Development: Six Economists and the World They Made (Oxford University Press...
Policy Brief
Harnessing microsimulation for crisis-resilient social protectionCOVID-19 revealed a hard truth: most Global South countries’ tax-benefit systems weren’t ready—and the next crisis is always closer than we think. Crises, from pandemics to inflation shocks and climate events, have become a defining feature of the...
Blog
How political connections shape Mozambique’s private sectorPolitical elites don’t just govern, many also own businesses. In Mozambique, public office is often converted into private business capital...
Blog
Top incomes in South Africa almost entirely driven by earnings inequality within firms
The top 1% of income earners in South Africa in 2021—those earning roughly above ZAR 1,150,000 per year (around USD 155,000 PPP)—received 16% of all...
Webinar
Carbon border adjustment and policy responses in South Africa and MozambiqueBlog
Peace and sustainability – Two sides of the same coinThe world is severely off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the rise in armed conflicts a major cause. Peace (SDG 16) is...
News
UNU-WIDER calls for rethinking debt sustainability to kickstart growth in low-income countriesHelsinki, Finland – UNU-WIDER has issued a statement urging a comprehensive rethink of debt sustainability to foster economic growth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The statement calls on the international community to increase long-term...
Policy Brief
Tackling profit shifting in low- and middle-income countriesPolicymakers globally face a persistent challenge in ensuring fair and effective corporate taxation, especially concerning multinational corporations (MNCs) and their profit shifting activities. This issue is particularly acute for low and middle...
Seminar
Remi Bazillier on Minimum wage shocks, firms and employment evidence from AfricaBlog
Tax incentives and charitable giving: What do South Africa's new digital tools mean?Why do so few people claim tax breaks for charitable donations even when they exist? Across the world, governments use tax incentives to encourage...
Seminar
Hazel Granger on Taxing capital income and wealth in lower-income countriesBlog
Young Europeans are losing faith in democracy: Here’s how to earn it back
A recent Europe-wide survey has revealed an alarming picture: fewer than six in ten young Europeans believe that democracy is the best form of...
Panel discussion
What do we know about poverty and inequality for the next development agenda?On 16 October, UNU-WIDER hosts a special event featuring a panel of distinguished speakers on What do we know about poverty and inequality for the next development agenda?
Blog
India’s minimum wage success, and the work ahead: Minimum wages have worked better than expected; the harder part is sustaining the gainsIndia has pulled off a quiet economic feat: it has narrowed its wage gap significantly and done so without costing jobs. This progress has come from...
Blog
Do your national elites create value, or siphon it off? A novel index supplies insight
A new release of the Elite Quality Index (EQx) offers a global comparative benchmark indicator for how well national elites support—or hinder—economic...