Habibou Ibrahim Kassoum is a visiting researcher at the World Bank

Habibou Ibrahim Kassoum is on a research stay at the World Bank Group. He joined The Gender Innovation Lab (GIL), a research Department that evaluates the actions the organization undertakes to reduce gender inequalities in sub-Saharan Africa. The team also assists decision-makers in developing strategies and policies that promote equal opportunity across genders. Habibou will contribute to the assessment of a program on domestic violence in Mauritania, he works under the supervision of Julia Vaillant, Senior Economist. This assessment aims to analyze whether cash transfers or allowances given to households affect domestic abuse positively.    
 
Habibou arrived in Washington just before the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund started. These annual meetings bring together experts, policymakers, researchers, and civil society stakeholders to discuss the state of the global economy and pressing international issues. It is an excellent opportunity for Habibou to meet experts and policy-makers, as well as some of our alumni.  
 
Habibou Ibrahim Kassoum prepares a doctorate in economics at the CERDI, a research lab of the Université Clermont Auvergne, the CNRS and the IRD. His research work is supervised by Pascale Phélinas (CERDI, IRD) and Jordan Loper (CERDI, Université Clermont Auvergne). 
 
A math enthusiast, he has chosen a program that utilizes applied mathematics to analyze economic data. His research focuses on microeconomic issues. He explores the impact of conflicts and cash transfers on health in sub-Saharan Africa from a gender perspective. He also has a special interest in nutrition issues.  
 
Habibou holds a degree from the ENSAE Dakar, the Senegalese school of statistics and economic analysis. He also obtained a Master’s degree in Theoretical and Empirical Economics at the Aix-Marseille School of Economics and an engineering degree in Data Science from the ENSAI Rennes. In a word, a rare and outstanding profile combining engineering expertise and economic skills. Previously, he worked as an intern in several institutions in France and sub-Saharan Africa, where he contributed to microeconomic studies on health and nutrition.  
 
Earlier this year, Habibou participated in a training program on data, economics, and the development of public policies organized by the MIT and J-PAL, thanks to the Foundation Hewlett Packard who funded his registration. This program is designed by the best economists in the field of economic development. It focuses on causal estimation, statistical and economic methods to understand countries constraints, analyze the existing studies, visualize data, etc. In short, Habibou developed his skills and expertise in development economics.  
 
Visit his website to find out more about his academic journey and his research.