Q&A with Cheick Camara

Cheick Camara is a PhD researcher in economics who graduated from the Université Clermont Auvergne in May this year. We asked him a few questions about his recent experience as at the World Bank. He was selected among thousands of applicants to the Africa Fellowship Program.

Can you take us through your academic journey?

I am a pure product of the Université Clermont Auvergne, where I obtained my BSc, my master's, and my PhD in Economics. I gradually specialized in public policy, public finance, and policy analysis. I prepared my doctorate at CERDI under the supervision of Bertrand Laporte and Émilie Caldeira. I focused my research on public local policies from two perspectives: gender and federalism. Last year, I spent a few months at the Joint Research Center in Seville for a research stay. I studied the efficiency of European public policies. It was the perfect place to improve my skills in policy evaluation. I mostly explored the performance of European funding allocations and their impact on social cohesion and local development.

What were you doing at the WBG?

I joined the EAWG2, the department that explores governance questions in West Africa and the CEMAC. First, I was in charge of analyzing Ghana's subnational public finance. I also contributed to the inclusion of governance in the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and Country Growth and Jobs Report (CGJR). I also co-wrote a directive related to the reform of the public sector in CEMAC countries and to the evaluation of public investment management in Gabon. I also co-built a database on the fiscal classification of public expenditures and transparency in West and Central Africa. And I finalised a research article « Promises on Paper or Money Well Spent? Gender Budgeting Delivers ». It was quite intense, challenging, and exciting!

You defended your PhD thesis a few months ago. According to you, why is CERDI still the best place to do a PhD in Economics?

I defended my PhD thesis this year. The year, CERDI is celebrating its jubilee. It made me realize how lucky I was to do my doctorate in this research centre, where the quality of supervision is very high. I am absolutely very grateful to my PhD supervisors, Emilie and Bertrand. The PhD training is highly technical, and their support and rigor helped me develop solid methodological agility. This high-level training gave me all the tools and knowledge I need to face complex challenges like the ones I encountered when I worked in international institutions. Thanks to our mentors, the CERDI is preparing us for academic excellence. We learn how to interpret economic realities and to influence development policies in a unique and stimulating environment.

Check out his website for more information on his research: https://chcamara1.github.io/about/.

Follow him on LinkedIn .