Can climate change-induced resource scarcity increase the likelihood of conflict? Climate change-induced resource scarcity shapes conflict by increasing competition and weakening livelihoods, but effective governance can support security.

How does #climatechange -induced resource scarcity shape civil conflict?

The 1st of a blog series examines how climate pressures act as a threat multiplier, intensifying resource scarcity🏜️ & shaping the risk of #conflict in fragile contexts.

Read more👇
theigc.org/blogs/climat...

Looking to improve your understanding of development economics?

This new online course might be ideal for you!

✔ Delivered by experts from LSE
✔ Earn a Certificate of Participation

📆 Starts 11 May 2026

www.theigc.org/events/igc-g2lmlic-onlin...

In February, we engaged w/ stakeholders across Uganda & Rwanda.

We often say SMEs drive job creation, but what helps them grow?

• Finance only isn't enough
• Support is fragmented
• Evidence use is the real gap

Learn more about the SGB Fund: https://www.theigc.org/initiatives/sgb-evidence-fund

Using machine learning to strengthen tax compliance: Lessons from Pakistan Pakistan's tax system shows how integrating AI into workflows improves audit targeting and risk-based decisions, without replacing human oversight.

Tax officers once had to sift through fragmented data, unsure where to look.

Now, they start with clearer signals.

Pakistan shows AI works best as a partner in strengthening compliance.

www.theigc.org/blogs/using-machine-lear...

📢 Upcoming webinar on hiring frictions & growth for small firms

New research shows targeted ads + applicant verification can boost hiring by 68%.

17 April 2026 |⏰ 09:00–10:00 (EST)

www.theigc.org/events/hiring-frictions-...

Call for applications: Zambia Evidence Lab (ZEL) PhD Fellowship Learn about the Zambia Evidence Lab PhD Fellowship, supporting research that advances evidence-based policy and development in Zambia.

🚨 ZEL PhD Fellowship 2026 – Apply Now!

PhD students & recent grads: spend 6 weeks in Lusaka, gain policy research experience, & get mentorship from IGC academics. 📊

Deadline: 30 Apr 2026
Apply 👉 https://www.theigc.org/zel-phd-fellowship

#Zambia #PhDFellowship #PolicyResearch

Shocks that settle: The long shadow of a commodity crisis Shocks to fertiliser and energy supply spread through production chains. In a commodity crisis, fixing market distortions can improve efficiency.

Shocks to fertiliser and energy supply spread through production chains and prices. During a #commoditycrisis, fixing market distortions can improve efficiency and limit future shocks.

Read our latest blog by IGC Research Director, Tim Dobermann ⤵️

🎬Short film coming soon
In Mozambique, long clinic waits put mothers’ health at risk.

But a simple scheduling tool is helping them access better care.

#WorldHealthDay
www.lse.ac.uk/research/research-impact...

This new online Development Economics course will address why people living in different countries experience different standards of living.

Designed for participants in LMICs.

Register: www.theigc.org/events/igc-g2lmlic-onlin... @g2lmlic.bsky.social

Rania Nasir chaired a brilliant panel on women, work & fertility at the G2LM|LIC Legacy Event.

Employment & demographic change are far messier than textbooks suggest - exactly why this research matters.

Thanks to the amazing panellists! 👏

g2lm-lic.iza.org/events/g%c2%b2lmlic-lega...

10th Urbanization & Development Conference

Day 2 kicked off w/ inspiring early-career research at the Young Urban Economist Workshop.

Rich discussions on #UrbanEconomics covered informality, transport, firms & more.

Learn more about the event: worldbank.org/en/events/20...

Day 2 reflections: 10th Urbanization & Development Conference

2 opened w/ inspiring early-career research at the Young Urban Economist Workshop.

Rich discussions on #UrbanEconomics covered informality, transport, firms & more.

More about the event:
www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...

Gender bias and gaps in economics: Evidence from new research Recent evidence shows that gendered differences in responses to feedback, and recommendation letters can reinforce women’s underrepresentation in economics.

Why are women underrepresented in economics?

Just 26% of economists are women, & only 5% hold top roles. Subtle biases stack up:

✍️ Recommendation letters stress diligence, not excellence
👩🏽 Teaching ratings are lower due to bias

→ www.theigc.org/blogs/gender...

#Economics #IWD2026

🚨 Our March Ideas for Growth newsletter is out!

We explore what happens when women have the capital to scale their businesses.
+
📊 New labour market tools
📚 Research on inclusive growth
🎓 Learning opportunities

Sign up: theigc.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
#InternationalWomensDay

⏰ Starting in 10 minutes!

The 10th Urbanization & Development Conference is here, bringing leading researchers & policymakers to explore how cities shape jobs, firms, & economic growth.

Co-hosted w/ the World Bank, George Washington Uni & @jhu.edu

👉 Watch live: www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...

Inside International Women's Day: Why scaling women-owned enterprises matters YouTube video by International Growth Centre

We can't leave half of the world's economic potential on the table.

Women entrepreneurs are drivers of innovation, yet often women-led firms remain small & credit-constrained.

How can we support women in scaling their businesses?

theigc.org/events/mind-...

#IWD2026

youtu.be/7AvSF3Golng

A mayor’s plan for economic growth? Building an enabling city Mayors seeking to support business and job creation must improve how urban systems function – from regulating services and infrastructure to employment support.

A mayor walks into office, but #firms aren’t scaling, youth unemployment is high, & budgets are tight💰.

What can they do?

For mayors seeking to support growth, regulating services and providing employment support may be some of the most practical ways.

theigc.org/blogs/mayors...

Digital VAT enforcement: More revenue, but at what cost? Digital VAT tools like e-invoicing can boost revenue, but evidence shows they impose heavy, regressive costs on small firms if poorly designed.

Digital VAT can boost revenue 💻💰 but small businesses often spend more on compliance than they pay in taxes.

Evidence shows tech works only with smart design, admin support & protections for #smallbusinesses.

🔗 www.theigc.org/blogs/digital-vat-enforc... #TaxForGrowth #PublicPolicy

What helps households escape extreme poverty?

This new interactive evidence map brings together 100+ studies on graduation programmes worldwide 🌍

Explore what works, where, and why 👇

🔗 theigc.org/blogs/eviden...

#PovertyAlleviation #DevEcon

What would the global economy look like if women-led businesses had the capital to grow?

What interventions have you seen work well in supporting #womenentrepreneurs?

🎨 Graphic Facilitation by Paolo Masiero

theigc.org/events/mind-...

#InternationalWomensDay

Tackling the misallocation of women's talent in India’s labour market In India, women’s labour is misallocated across the economy, limiting productivity and growth. Expanding women’s enterprises, flexible work arrangements, and ma

India’s female labour force participation is rising, but many women are not working in roles that match their skills.

This misallocation isn’t just unfair, it’s inefficient, and could be costing up to 5–15% of output.

What can be done? 👇
theigc.org/blogs/women-...

Can Zambia harness critical minerals for broad-based development? Zambia’s copper and cobalt boom offers a chance for broad-based development—but success hinges on governance, community safeguards, and sustainable mining.

Zambia’s copper & cobalt could fuel global industries, but who really benefits? 🪨

Our IGC research shows ownership, governance & community safeguards will decide if mineral wealth drives inclusive growth.

www.theigc.org/blogs/zambia-critical-mi...

#Zambia #CriticalMinerals

When inclusion pays: Evidence from Pakistan’s board diversity mandate Pakistan’s gender quota for corporate boards of directors improved firm outcomes, especially in larger firms, and expanded the pool of qualified female director

Pakistan’s gender quota for corporate boards sparked fears of tokenism.

However, firm-level data revealed that women's presence improved firm outcomes & expand the talent pipeline.

Learn more in our new blog:
theigc.org/blogs/inclus...

#InclusiveGrowth #IWD2026

Last month, we visited #Uganda & #Rwanda to engage policymakers, & entrepreneurs on the challenges facing growing firms.

💬 These discussions will help shape the next phase of evidence-based policy support for high-growth firms in East Africa.

www.theigc.org/initiatives/...

We're sorry that our live stream link isn't working. Please look out for a post-event summary on our channels about today's discussions.

Mind the gap: Scaling women-owned enterprises | International Growth Centre YouTube video by International Growth Centre

📣 1 hour to go

If you can't make our #InternationalWomensDay event in person, join us online ⬇️

📢 1 week to go!

On 11 March, the International Growth Centre asks:

What if women-led businesses had the capital to grow?

🎟 Register now: www.theigc.org/events/mind-...

#InternationalWomensDay #InclusiveGrowth

Using machine learning to strengthen tax compliance: Lessons from Pakistan Pakistan's tax system shows how integrating AI into workflows improves audit targeting and risk-based decisions, without replacing human oversight.

Pakistan is using AI to make tax compliance smarter, not harder.

Machine learning helps officers prioritise high-risk cases, nudges improve payments, & human judgement stays central.

Read more in our latest blog: 🤖
theigc.org/blogs/using-...

#TaxForGrowth #Governance

Join Dr Aderinsola Adio-Adepoju, & other experts at Mind the Gap: Scaling Women-Owned Enterprises.

🗣Engage w/ this lively discussion on the challenges & opportunities for women-led firms

11 Mar | 14:30–17:00 | LSE

🎟 www.theigc.org/events/mind-gap-scaling-...
#IWD2026

Intelligent taxation and AI: Promises and pitfalls Artificial intelligence is reshaping tax administration, from audit targeting to taxpayer services--yet real gains depend on data, governance, and implementation

AI is reshaping tax administration.

Algorithms can boost fraud detection & speed audits, but without good data & governance, insights don’t translate into revenue.

Learn more about intelligent taxation: https://www.theigc.org/blogs/intelligent-taxation-ai

#AI #PublicFinance #PolicyInnovation