Research is as much about people as it is about data. We are excited to hear from NOVAFRICA Nova School of Business and Economics PhD candidate Vitor Cavalcante about his journey in development economics, including his work on NOVAFRICA projects across Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Portugal. His PhD research focuses on international migration... Read More

“Gangs, Labor Mobility, and Development” By NOVAFRICA affiliate and Nova School of Business and Economics professor Nikita Melnikov, together with Carlos Schmidt-Padilla and María Micaela Sviatschi. The study explores how criminal organizations affect economic development by analyzing a natural experiment in El Salvador. Using a spatial regression discontinuity design, the authors show that: 🔹 Individuals... Read More

NOVAFRICA is excited to announce the International Conference on Migration at Cabo Verde, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and students to discuss youth emigration and education, high-skilled migration, and their impact on economic development. Organized in partnership with Nova SBE Economics of Education Knowledge Center, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and Universidade de Cabo Verde... Read More

We are pleased to welcome Roberto Hsu Rocha as a new Resident Member at NOVAFRICA Nova School of Business and Economics! Roberto holds a PhD in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on Labor Economics and Development Economics, with an emphasis on informality, entrepreneurship, finance, and the design of public policies.... Read More

How can timely information help communities during floods in Quelimane, Mozambique? In our next session of the NOVAFRICA – International Growth Centre at Quelimane 2025 Webinar Series, Professor Stefan Leeffers from University College London will present on: Information and Floods   📅 Monday, September 22nd, at 1 PM (Lisbon time) / 2 PM Mozambique 📍... Read More

We are delighted to welcome Duncan Webb as a new resident member at NOVAFRICA Nova School of Business and Economics! Duncan is a development economist whose research draws on insights from behavioral economics, with a focus on discrimination, social change, and human capital. We are excited to have him join our community and look forward... Read More

Paying local taxes remains a persistent challenge in many contexts, shaping both public revenues and the trust between citizens and local governments. In the next session of the NOVAFRICA – International Growth Centre at Quelimane 2025 Webinar Series, Professor Wayne Sandholtz from Nova School of Business and Economics will present on: Willingness to Pay Local... Read More

What are the effects of legal short-term migration on households in origin countries? As we begin the 2025/2026 NOVAFRICA Seminar Series, we are pleased to welcome Professor Melanie Morten from Stanford University, who will present her paper on Wednesday, September 10, at 11:30 AM (Lisbon time) in Room D-115 at Nova School of Business and... Read More

NOVAFRICA affiliates Cláudia Custódio and Diogo Mendes, together with Daniel Metzger, used a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of an executive finance program on medium and large firms in Mozambique. The results? ✅ Executives made smarter, more strategic financial decisions. ✅ Firms reduced working capital and accounts receivable, freeing up cash flow. ✅... Read More