https://hdl.handle.net/10419/105007 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 22:29:00 GMT 2026-10-19T22:29:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/339381 Title: When does success spread? Evidence from project-level evaluations in Africa Authors: Asare, Abigail O. Abstract: This paper examines whether the success of prior aid projects affects the performance of subsequent ones based on a study of World Bank projects in Africa. While existing research has shown that aid effectiveness depends on macroeconomic conditions, institutional quality, and managerial capacity, far less is known about whether project success generates localized improvements that extend beyond its immediate boundaries. Using geocoded data and independent evaluation ratings of World Bank projects, this study finds that local success does not systematically translate into higher performance for subsequent projects. In fact, it can sometimes make it less likely for future projects to achieve top outcomes. I also found evidence of a negative effect in localities with dense exposure to highly satisfactory projects. Regions with a mix of highly rated and moderately rated projects tend to do better in the future than those with only top-rated projects. This means that while lessons have been learned from very successful projects, having too many of these in one place can have negative spillovers. Therefore, close monitoring is needed in regions with high concentrations of top-performing projects to ensure that early successes and lessons learned are managed appropriately, preventing them from undermining later performance. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/339381 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/341579 Title: The well-being costs of energy poverty: The role of affective channels Authors: Asane-Otoo, Emmanuel; Asare, Abigail O. Abstract: This paper examines the impact of energy poverty on subjective well-being in Germany using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) over the period 2010-2023. Exploiting within-individual variation, we estimate fixed-effects models using objective, subjective, and composite indicators of energy poverty. Energy poverty is associated with a statistically significant and economically meaningful decline in life satisfaction, even after controlling for income, health status, and household characteristics. The negative association persists among households that are not income-poor, indicating that energy poverty constitutes a distinct dimension of material deprivation. Effects are strongest for subjective and multidimensional indicators, highlighting the importance of perceived energy deprivation and lived experience. Causal mediation analysis suggests that these well-being losses operate primarily through psychological and emotional channels. These findings imply that policies targeting energy affordability and housing efficiency may generate substantial welfare gains beyond income-based support. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/341579 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/316351 Title: Where does the money go? Spatial patterns in the distribution of world bank foreign aid projects Authors: Dannemann, Bernhard Christopher; Gören, Erkan Abstract: Does foreign aid target the poorest people in developing countries? We examine this question in the context of World Bank foreign aid projects at the local level in 50 countries worldwide. We combine georeferenced data on World Bank foreign aid projects with remote-sensing data on nighttime light intensity, micro-geographic conditions, and household survey data to analyze the determinants of the spatial distribution of World Bank foreign aid projects. We employ an inner-outer buffer matching approach to identify treatment and control locations and estimate the effect of the determinants of sub-national foreign aid allocation. Our results suggest that the allocation of World Bank foreign aid projects is driven by a combination of distance-based measures, bio-geographic variables, remote-sensing data, and socio-economic variables based on household survey data. We find that locations with better living conditions, such as higher nighttime light intensity, better access to water and sanitation, or higher educational attainment, are generally more likely to receive aid projects. Our results further suggest that substantial heterogeneity exists in the factors that are relevant to the allocation of aid projects across sector classifications. This suggests that the allocation decisions on aid projects are driven rather by efficiency considerations than the needs of the local population. Additional robustness analyses further confirm our main findings. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/316351 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/316342 Title: More than money: The critical role of management in educational aid effectiveness in Africa Authors: Asare, Abigail Opokua Abstract: The effectiveness of educational aid in Africa is a pressing issue, with little consensus on whether the management quality of aid has significant contribution toward achieving inclusive, equitable, and quality education on the continent by 2030. Despite substantial inflows of educational aid from both bilateral and multilateral sources, Africa continues to report the world's highest illiteracy rates, indicating potential inefficiencies in educational aid management. This paper investigates whether the impact of World Bank-funded educational projects across Africa on literacy rates depends on the quality of project management. The findings reveal that educational projects managed in a highly satisfactory manner significantly reduce illiteracy, regardless of the quantity of aid or volume of aid disbursement. Meanwhile, projects managed in a sub-satisfactory manner show no progress at all. These findings highlight that effective management is far more critical to success than the amount of aid provided and suggest that reforming management practices could drastically enhance the impact of educational aid. By prioritizing high-quality management practices, policymakers and international organizations could improve the effects of educational aid, offering a targeted strategy to drive Africa's educational progress. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/316342 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z