ABOUT US
The Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) is an economic research centre at the University of Oxford. We have been researching economic and social development in Africa since 1986. These days, our large team of development economists research not only countries in Africa, but also in other areas of the world. We are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year.
WE'RE 40 YEARS OLD
FORTY YEARS OF RIGOROUS RESEARCH
A CELEBRATION IN 2026
We invited members of the CSAE community from the last four decades to Oxford to celebrate the Centre's work. The programme included discussions between directors, collaborators, researchers, and students past and present.
OUR AIMS
We aim to make a significant contribution to the transformation of the economic performance of developing countries by:
- Publishing significant theoretical and empirical findings;
- Establishing ourselves as a focus of collaboration between researchers and policymakers;
- Engaging with policymakers and academics;
- Engaging in the training of postgraduate students;
- Producing excellent research geared to an improvement in the economic performance of developing countries.
OUR RESEARCH
Our research is both microeconomic and macroeconomic. This means we look at issues facing individuals or companies, as much as issues in relation to the overall economy. Our projects roughly fit into four key themes: firms, farms and labour; macro economics and growth; politics and institutions; welfare and behaviour. We are also part of several research programmes and initiatives focusing on different aspects of development in collaboration with other organisations.
Centre staff participate in a wide range of activities in developing countries, including data collection for both households and firms, training, and discussion with both the business and policy-making communities.
CSAE ANNUAL SUMMARIES
Read our CSAE annual summary publications. Produced each year, the annual summary documents the work of the Centre, including research, publication, and impact spotlights, as well as people and events information.