Published on June 24, 2026 – Updated on June 24, 2026
We are very glad to welcome Isaac Amedanou, a PhD macroeconomist, as a research fellow. He specializes in investigating issues related to public finance in developing and transition economies. Over the years, he has developed an expertise in domestic resource mobilization, debt, natural resources taxation, and, more generally, economic reforms and public policies.

The key question of his research is: How do developing countries mobilize their resources and transform their economies? Simply put, how do they leverage their revenue, and which reforms do or should they adopt to deliver more?

An expertise in applied economics in public policy

Through the years, he has strengthened his skills in data analysis and in research and evaluation of public policies and development programs. He has notably worked for the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). He contributed to macroeconomic studies and annual reports, the flagship publications that bring new policy recommendations. He is a member of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and the ECA economist network. Passionate about economics, he loves sharing his knowledge and has worked as a lecturer at the Université de Rouen and the Université de Saint-Étienne.

He holds a PhD in Economics from the Université Clermont Auvergne. He conducted his doctoral studies at CERDI. Previously, he obtained his Master's degree in Public Finance at the Ecole d'Economie of the Université Clermont Auvergne and a BSc in Economics from the Univeristé de Lomé. 

Four publications in a row!

 Isaac is a productive researcher who has published four articles in top academic journals in his field in a short period. This is the best recognition for a researcher, being validated by his peers.

In the last months, his research appeared in:
  • The Journal of International Development, where he explores the economic policy on rent sharing in copper-producing countries.
  • In The World Economy, he analyses with his coauthors, Bertrand Laporte, Mahamady Ouédraogo and Bakary Johnson Rouamba, the repercussions of economic sanctions on natural resources taxation. They show that financial sanctions are more effective than trade sanctions.
  • In World Development, he discusses employment policies, particularly for the youth in Africa. He carried out this study with Kwamu Mawuli Gomado (LERN, Université de Normandie). They show that structural reforms that combine legislative changes and the liberalization of certain economic sectors contribute to reducing unemployment.
  • Last but not least: Still with Kwamu Mawuli Gomado, he examines the natural resource curse paradox in a newly published article in Economics of Transition and Institutional Change. They show that countries with weak institutions that see their tax revenue from the mining sector explode tend to delay pro-market decisions that would benefit their economy, even more, during a time of crisis.
Since he defended his thesis, he kept close ties with our department, co-producing research with our now alumni, Aristide Affroumou, Mahamady Ouedraogo, Koku Eli Soglo, and Achille Sanou, and also his PhD Supervisor, Bertrand Laporte. He is currently working on new projects with Bakary Johnson Rouamba et Gracia Rahi.

Welcome to the team! 

Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaac-amedanou-ph-d-303046164/.