Trade

What Reduces Frictions in Trade Finance? The Role of Banks, Relationships, and Policy

The African continent is often envisioned as the future industrial hub of the planet. However, it accounts for no more than 3% of total global trade. A key factor behind this performance is the limited access to financial services.

Research Note
1 Apr 2025

Financial Constraints to Exporting: Experimental Evidence from Rwanda’s Export Growth Fund

Strong export performance is often seen as key to unleashing firm productivity and spurring economic growth, both for the exporting firms themselves and for the broader economy. Given these perceived benefits, middle and low-income country (LMIC) governments commonly implement export promotion policies that aim to alleviate market failures hindering export growth.

Research Project
17 Mar 2025

Relational Frictions Along the Supply Chain: Evidence from Senegalese Traders

Search and trust frictions have historically made it hard for small firms in lower income countries to buy inputs from foreign markets. The growth in smartphone ownership and social media usage has the potential to alleviate these barriers.

Working Paper
21 Jan 2025

Clearing the Air on the Costs and Benefits of Road Infrastructure

This project aims to estimate the local economic costs resulting from transportation infrastructure and road traffic in Pakistan, specifically through increased air pollution, and compare them to the estimated benefits. 

Research Project
1 Aug 2023