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A New Perspective on Spatial Heterogeneity in African Development

Author

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  • Pascaline Dupas
  • Nicolas Suarez
  • Zhongyi Tang

Abstract

Access to basic infrastructure is critical for quality of life and economic development. However, data about infrastructure access in low-income countries are sparse and costly to collect. We leverage satellite imagery and survey data to train a machine learning model to predict infrastructure access for each 6.72 kilometer by 6.72 kilometer area of Africa. To show this dataset's value, we use spatial regression discontinuity to study how much infrastructure heterogeneity across countries comes from differences in institutional quality, finding a positive effect of modest magnitude, reconciling previous contradicting results.

Suggested Citation

  • Pascaline Dupas & Nicolas Suarez & Zhongyi Tang, 2026. "A New Perspective on Spatial Heterogeneity in African Development," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 116, pages 167-172, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:116:y:2026:p:167-172
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261090
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anderson, Michael L., 2008. "Multiple Inference and Gender Differences in the Effects of Early Intervention: A Reevaluation of the Abecedarian, Perry Preschool, and Early Training Projects," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 103(484), pages 1481-1495.
    2. Robin Burgess & Remi Jedwab & Edward Miguel & Ameet Morjaria & Gerard Padró i Miquel, 2015. "The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(6), pages 1817-1851, June.
    3. Tobias G. Tiecke & Xianming Liu & Amy Zhang & Andreas Gros & Nan Li & Gregory Yetman & Talip Kilic & Siobhan Murray & Brian Blankespoor & Espen B. Prydz & Hai-Anh H. Dang, 2017. "Mapping the World Population One Building at a Time," World Bank Publications - Reports 33700, The World Bank Group.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • L95 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Gas Utilities; Pipelines; Water Utilities
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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