Publications :
Embedded Files
From demand deficit to development strategy: navigating mini-grid viability in a fragile context with Elie Lunanga, Nik Stoop and Marijke Verpoorten (2026). Energy Economics, 109141. [Working paper][Published version]
Abstract
Abstract
Four in five people without access to electricity live in Sub-Saharan Africa, where mini-grids are seen as a key solution. Yet investment remains constrained by low and unpredictable demand, especially in fragile settings. We study electricity demand in North Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo), using pre-grid census and survey data combined with six years of post-connection consumption records. Five key findings emerge: (i) demand is highly heterogeneous across and within localities, with pockets of low uptake; (ii) pre-grid covariates explain some variation but have limited predictive power for realized connection and consumption; (iii) SMEs consume far more per connection than households while making up a small share of connections; (iv) consumption rises after connection and then plateaus, indicating slow movement up the energy ladder; (v) conflict shocks temporarily depress consumption, but usage rebounds, highlighting resilience in the face of insecurity. We further examine how an integrated, demand-building strategy by the local operator can partially mitigate these challenges. The case highlights that mini-grid viability in fragile settings may depend less on improved demand forecasting and more on the capacity to build and coordinate demand alongside infrastructure, with implications for policy design, risk-sharing finance, and the role of public and donor support.
Collaborative management partnerships strongly decreased deforestation in the most at-risk protected areas in Africa since 2000 Desbureaux, S., I. Kabore, G. Vaglietti, M. Baghai, P. Lindsey, A. Robson, P. Delacote, A. Leblois, (2024) Proceedings of the National. Academy of Science 122 (1) e2411348121 [Link] [Authors' version]
Abstract
Abstract
Collaborative management partnerships (CMPs) between state wildlife authorities and nonprofit conservation organizations to manage protected areas (PAs) have been used increasingly across Sub-Saharan Africa since the 2000s. They aim to attract funding, build capacity, and increase the environmental effectiveness of PAs. Our study documents the rise of CMPs, examines their current extent, and measures their effectiveness in protecting habitats. We combine statistical matching and Before-After-Control-Intervention regressions to quantify the impact of CMPs, using tree cover loss as a proxy. We identify 127 CMPs located in 16 countries. CMPs are more often located in remote PAs, with habitats that are least threatened by human activity. Our results indicate that, on average, each year in a CMP results in an annual decrease in tree cover loss of about 55% compared to PAs without CMPs. Where initial anthropogenic pressure was low, we measure no effect. Where it was high, we see a 66% decrease in tree cover loss. This highly heterogeneous effect illustrates the importance of moving beyond average effect size when assessing conservation interventions, as well as the need for policy makers to invest public funds to protect the areas the most at risk.
The long‐term impacts of Marine Protected Areas on fish catch and socioeconomic development in Tanzania Desbureaux S., Julia Girard, Antoine Leblois, Alicia Dalongeville, Rodolphe Devillers, David Mouillot, Narriman Jiddawi, Loic Sanchez, Laure Velez and Laetitia Mathon. (2024) Conservation Letters
On track to achieve no net loss of forest at Madagascar’s biggest mine. Devenish, K., Desbureaux, S., Willcock, S. and Jones J. (2022). Nature Sustainability [Open Access] [Replication files and data]
Mapping global hotspots and trends of water quality (1992-2010): a data driven approach. Desbureaux, S., Mortier, F., Zaveri, E., van Vliet, M., Russ, J. D., Rodella, A. S., & Damania, R. (2022). Environmental Research Letters. [Pre-print]
The impact of water quality of GDP growth: Evidence from around the world. Russ, J., Zaveri, E., Desbureaux, S., Damania, R., & Rodella, A. S. (2022). Water Security, 17, 100130.
Subjective modeling choices and the robustness of impact evaluations in conservation science. Desbureaux, S. (2021). Conservation Biology. [Pre-Print] [Replication files and data]
Covid-19 vs. Ebola: Impact on households and small businesses in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Stoop, N., Desbureaux, S., Kaota, A., Lunanga, E., & Verpoorten, M. (2021). World Development, 140, 105352. [Working Paper] [Replication files and data]
Does rainfall matter for economic growth? Evidence from global sub-national data (1990–2014). Damania, R., Desbureaux, S., & Zaveri, E. (2020). Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 102, 102335. [Pre-Print] [Replication files and data]
Drought in the city: The economic impact of water scarcity in Latin American metropolitan areas. Desbureaux, S., & Rodella, A. S. (2019). World Development, 114, 13-27. [Pre-Print]
Rain, forests and farmers: Evidence of drought induced deforestation in Madagascar and its consequences for biodiversity conservation. Desbureaux, S., & Damania, R. (2018). Biological Conservation, 221, 357-364. [Pre-Print]
The economic and legal sides of additionality in payments for environmental services. Karsenty, A., Aubert, S., Brimont, L., Dutilly, C., Desbureaux, S., Ezzine de Blas, D., & Le Velly, G. (2017). Environmental Policy and Governance, 27(5), 422-435.
Deforestation and timber production in Congo after implementation of sustainable management policy: A reaction to the article by JS Brandt, C. Nolte and A. Agrawal (Land Use Policy 52: 15–22). Karsenty, A., Romero, C., Cerutti, P. O., Doucet, J. L., Putz, F. E., Bernard, C., ... & De Wasseige, C. (2017). Land Use Policy, 65, 62-65.
The virtual economy'of REDD+ projects: does private certification of REDD+ projects ensure their environmental integrity? Seyller, C., Desbureaux, S., Ongolo, S., Karsenty, A., Simonet, G., Faure, J., & Brimont, L. (2016). International Forestry Review, 18(2), 231-246.
Between economic loss and social identity: The multi-dimensional cost of avoiding deforestation in eastern Madagascar. Desbureaux, S., & Brimont, L. (2015). Ecological Economics, 118, 10-20.
Working papers :
Agricultural Productivity Growth and Deforestation in the Tropics with Mathieu Couttenier and Raphael Soubeyran
Salt of the earth: quantifying the impact of water salinity on global agricultural productivity. Russ, J. D., Zaveri, E. D., Damania, R., Desbureaux, S. G., Escurra, J. J., & Rodella, A. S. (2020). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, (9144).
The nitrogen legacy: the long-term effects of water pollution on human capital Zaveri, E. D., Russ, J. D., Desbureaux, S. G., Damania, R., Rodella, A. S., & Ribeiro Paiva De Souza, G. (2020). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, (9143)
Common Resources Management and the ‘Dark Side’of Collective Action: An Impact Evaluation for Madagascar’s Forests Desbureaux, S. (2016). FAERE WP (No. 2016.30).
Others:
Peut-on améliorer l’efficacité environnementale des aires protégées ? Une évaluation statistique en Afrique Sub-Saharienne (2025) Desbureaux, S.. INRAE Sciences Sociales.
When Good Conservation Becomes Good Economics. Damania, R., Desbureaux, S., Scandizzo, P. L., Mikou, M., Gohil, D., & Said, M. (2019). World Bank Publications.
Quality unknown: the invisible water crisis. Damania, R., Desbureaux, S., Rodella, A. S., & Russ, J. (2019). World Bank Publications. [Press release] [Brookings] [The Guardian] [Le Monde]
Uncharted waters: The new economics of water scarcity and variability. Damania, R., Desbureaux, S., Hyland, M., Islam, A., Rodella, A. S., Russ, J., & Zaveri, E. (2017) World Bank Publications. [Press release]
Nyiragongo and Virunga's southern sector seen from Rumangabo
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