Abstract

Although the number of Ivorian graduates in economics has grown substantially, few of them have engaged in research because of competing demands from government departments and private companies. In order to help meet the growing demand for trained economists, this project will promote the development of Ivorian research capacity in economics through selective support of the staff development program of the Centre Ivorian de Recherches Economiques et Sociales. Specifically, the project will assist with the cost of fieldwork for Ivory Coast studies and provide support for research documentation and seminars.

Post-Project Summary

To promote economic research, this project supported the Centre Ivorien de recherche economique et sociales (CIRES) in the publication of 15 studies (eleven doctoral theses and four postdoctoral studies in economics, rural sociology, and social sciences). The documentation centre at CIRES was also strengthened. Among research topics were: agricultural exports and income distribution; external aid and industrialization; economic aspects of the Ivory Coast Water Project; and cocoa export strategies. The researchers attended various scientific conferences and seminars to discuss research results. It was noted that following the project, international and intergovernmental agencies, such as the World Bank and the European Economic Community, were increasingly relying on CIRES for economic studies. Also, between 1980 and 1982, the number of Africans with doctorates at CIRES doubled. Furthermore, researchers concluded that in view of the results, the project was one of the most important IDRC- supported endeavours in francophone West Africa.

Recipient Institution(s)