In today’s dialogue on DRM, trust emerged as a key theme. As Ambassador Corinne Amori Burnet said, "trust is built over time." Progress in tax systems relies on fairness, transparency, and visible public benefits. Thank you to co-organizers OECD Development Centre & The University of Manchester.

Negotiations of Protocol 1 of the #UNTaxConvention start today! Together with @UNDESA we provided a background note on net-basis vs gross-basis taxation to UN Member States, the crux of negotiations of protocol 1 on taxing digital services Read more: go.unu.edu/IcIzq

How do we create better jobs in a rapidly changing world? Submit your research on labor markets, AI, energy transition, skills, demographics & fiscal policy to the Jobs and Development Conference. 📍 HKUST, Hong Kong, 9-10 October 2026 📅 Submissions by 20 March 🔗https://go.unu.edu/LXwSS

A valueable exchange this week at a virtual seminar on VAT & CIT gap research for 🇿🇦. Researchers & policymakers engaged on compliance risks & how tax gap insights can inform audits, monitoring & analytical approaches. Co-organised by the South African Revenue Service & #SATIED go.unu.edu/TPpGl

#MakingTaxDataWork in Uganda! Established in 2022, the Uganda Revenue Authority secure data lab was the second of its kind on the continent. The lab has informed policy on tax system design ⚖️, revenue planning 📈, and compliance 🧾 👉 go.unu.edu/LrlV3

Critical minerals and the need to find better replacements are discussed in our @unu-wider.bsky.social open access book 👇 global.oup.com/academic/pro...

𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘇𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻-𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲. In a new WIDERAngle blog, our Director Designate Patricia Justino, argues that removing a leader while leaving coercive institutions intact does not guarantee stability and may deepen repression. 👉 go.unu.edu/yC4dI

Why do digital taxes struggle to raise revenue in Africa? 🤔 Despite over $1 trillion in mobile money transactions, backlash is common. Our blog reveals how digital taxes can raise meaningful revenue—if citizens see clear and local benefits. Read more: go.unu.edu/7uhhC

#MakingTaxDataWork in South Africa! 📊 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮? Amina Ebrahim used anonymized tax data from the National Treasury Secure Data Facility to assess the Employment Tax Incentive. 🔗 go.unu.edu/lT6Zw

The first 𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 is now out! This issue brings together exciting new UNU-WIDER research from our 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 programme, including a background note contributing to negotiations at the #UNTaxConvention. Read it here: www2.wider.unu.edu/civicrm/mail...

We are delighted to announce WIDER Board member Professor Justin Yifu Lin as a Keynote Speaker at the Jobs and Development Conference 2026. 📍 HKUST, Hong Kong, 9-10 October 2026 📅 Submissions by 20 March 🔗https://go.unu.edu/LXwSS

📢Job Opening! Come join our team in South Africa ✨ We are hiring a Head of Policy Research (P3) to lead the SA-TIED programme in Pretoria, South Africa. Apply by 1 March: go.unu.edu/PRmSo

#MakingTaxDataWork in South Africa! Established in 2014, the National Treasury Secure Data Facility was Africa’s first secure tax research data facility. The lab's tax data has informed policy debates on 📊 Employment Tax ⚖️ minimum wage 🏭 corporate tax design 🧾 tax compliance 👉 go.unu.edu/LZ3D9

What shapes women’s decisions to work when unemployment remains high? New #SATIED research explores how married & cohabiting women respond to changes in their own and their partners’ potential earnings & how these responses have shifted over time. 🔗https://go.unu.edu/Y3Rv9

Today, Dr. Amina Ebrahim presented how administrative tax data can enable evaluation of corporate income tax incentives at OECD’s Global Relations Programme on Taxation workshop. Thank you #OECDtax for organising this virtual workshop! 👉 go.unu.edu/Xrywr

How can countries fund public services when tax revenues stay below 15% of GDP and debt costs rise? On 10 Feb 2026, UNU-WIDER, OECD Development Centre and The University of Manchester GDI host a joint policy dialogue in Paris on fair, effective DRM. Join in-person or online👉 go.unu.edu/JvWKV

Across Africa, governments hold valuable administrative tax data. Follow our new #MakingTaxDataWork campaign to learn more about how UNU-WIDER has supported the establishment of 3 secure data labs on the continent. 👉 go.unu.edu/jIkR9

📢 Open opportunities with UNU-WIDER! 🔹 Data Scientist (Pretoria, South Africa) for the SA-TIED programme 🔹 Call for Papers: 2026 Jobs & Development Conference (Hong Kong, 9–10 Oct) 🔗 go.unu.edu/0pG8J

On today's #EducationDay, we're highlighting women's education in Mozambique 🎓♀️ New @InclusiveMoz research shows: education matters, but alone is not enough to break intergenerational poverty cycles. Solutions lie in quality education and inclusive policy. 📽️ Watch the video to learn more.

What happens to tax collection when violence spreads? Our new research shows rising insecurity in Burkina Faso leads to lower corporate tax payments as firms close or scale back. Supporting businesses & restoring security is vital for rebuilding fiscal capacity. Read more: go.unu.edu/XZ0xm

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲? New UNU-WIDER research in @itaxjournal.bsky.social uses firm-level audit data to examine tax compliance and tax gaps in Zambia. Read more 👉 go.unu.edu/pZOmc

How should countries tax digital and cross border services? A new UNU-WIDER and UN DESA background note sheds light on one of the most important debates in international taxation: gross basis vs net basis taxation. go.unu.edu/IcIzq

Private foundations aren't simply 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 development, they are 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 it💡 New research by former WIDER Visiting PhD fellow Swetha Ramachandran shows that when large private foundations fund a specific health area, other donors tend to crowd-in. Learn more: go.unu.edu/vfApd

How do fragile states raise taxes when social contracts are weak? New research on Somalia reveals that "revenue bargains" with powerful taxpayers, like telecoms, shape tax collection. External financing also plays a role. 📘 Learn more: go.unu.edu/oatX2 @globaldevinst.bsky.social

How should ports be reformed to promote rivalry rather than monopoly? In this #SATIED seminar, Ryan Hawthorne discusses South Africa’s port reform experience, with a focus on concession design and regulatory trade-offs. 🎥 Watch here: go.unu.edu/PQHIx

Do you want to be among the first to find out about UNU-WIDER's open opportunities, research highlights and upcoming events? Sign up for the WIDERAngle newsletter and stay up to date with the latest research and insights from us: go.unu.edu/44DoC

Can transitional justice help rebuild the fiscal contract after war? New research by Monika Nalepa and Simone Paci shows accountability can boost tax compliance & state capacity, but perceived injustice can weaken trust. Learn more from the paper:🔗 go.unu.edu/4jCzi

How much tax is too much? Our new research shows that in Ghana, moderate tax increases raise compliance, but with burdens above 45%, firms start opting out. Tax policy must balance revenue needs with fairness, transparency, and firm capacity. Read more: go.unu.edu/J1JKv #DRM

Tax Gap Toolkit Update! 🚨 Some of the updates include: 🖥️Improved coding 📱Mobile-viewer access This means you can now: 📊Plug in your own return and audit data 🗜️See the detailed machine learning process 💡Calculate the tax gap for different tax heads Check it out: go.unu.edu/hfhu9

𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁? New UNU-WIDER research on Ukraine finds rural tax burdens rose 𝟴𝟭%, tripling for some small farmers, while large firms were less affected. What does this mean for rural resilience? Read here: go.unu.edu/9pLeG

Is the UN losing its legitimacy in conflict settings? Our new research shows individual states now receive more support than international organizations. Perceived effectiveness is key, while misconduct can quickly erode trust. Read more: go.unu.edu/gFLGU

Call for Papers in honour of Dr Amadou Boly (former WIDER colleague & alumnus) A virtual conference on New Perspectives on Africa’s Development, held on 11 May, celebrates Dr Boly’s lasting contributions to development economics and policy. 📄 Details in the announcement ⏰ Deadline 27 Feb 2026

Don't miss this Call for Papers! The Jobs and Development Conference focuses on policy-relevant research, applicable to identifying solutions to jobs challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Co-organized by the World Bank, UNU-WIDER & ILO See details and apply here: go.unu.edu/LXwSS

✨ Starting 2026 with a new opportunity! UNU-WIDER is hiring a Data Scientist for the #SATIED programme in Pretoria 🇿🇦. Work with administrative tax data to support evidence-based policy and inclusive development. 👉 Apply here: go.unu.edu/Z5KSu

Why is social insurance coverage falling in Egypt? Our research reveals it’s not just job shifts but a drop in coverage within sectors, especially for new entrants. Rising costs & cash transfers may be discouraging enrollment. 🔗 Read the paper here: go.unu.edu/BDKZo

Who is left out when drought hits? Evidence shows that removing household-type restrictions from Zambia’s Social Cash Transfer could protect far more vulnerable families. Read the new research brief⬇️ go.unu.edu/6ZXx9 #SOUTHMOD

How do tariff decisions translate into economic outcomes? New #SATIED research shows: ➡️ Import surge claims rarely align with pre-application trade data➡️Tariff increases reallocate imports & raise earnings in beneficiary firms trade Learn more ➡️ go.unu.edu/z5I9W

New blog 📖 Focusing on 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 no longer tells the full story. Drawing on our new Cambridge Element 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀, this blog looks at how 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴' 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 shapes development in a fragmented world. Read it here👉 go.unu.edu/WHcnO

New year, new research 📚 Our Cambridge Elements in Development Economics series continues with a new title: Trade in Tasks: A New Perspective to International Trade, Structural Change and Economic Development. More forthcoming, stay tuned: go.unu.edu/KWwlq

From data to development 📊 Through secure data labs, UNU-WIDER along with our partners are strengthening evidence-based policymaking and domestic revenue mobilization in the Global South. Read more about our data labs: go.unu.edu/plOLR #UNUinfocus @ununiversity.bsky.social

Rebuilding trust was at the heart of one of UNU-WIDER’s 2025 highlights. At the #SocialSummit2025 in Doha, we co-hosted a Solutions Session drawing on insights from the World Social Report 2025. #2025recap

As we close our 40th year, we reflect on UNU-WIDER’s legacy and look to future. Director Designate @apvjustino.bsky.social reminds us of the task ahead: harnessing shared knowledge to improve lives in an uncertain world. Learn more about the work we do: go.unu.edu/XR6Xh #WIDER40 #2025recap

“Sound policy requires sound evidence, and this is where UNU-WIDER has made its mark” — Satu Lassila, Finland's Ambassador to Mozambique In November, we celebrated #WIDER40 & our first country programme Inclusive Growth in Mozambique (IGM)'s 10th anniversary in Maputo. About IGM: go.unu.edu/1qCRd

#WIID was one of our top pages in 2025, showing that quality data matters. Our major update this year expanded the world's most comprehensive inequality database to 26K+ data points across 202 countries. Free & open for all. Explore WIID: go.unu.edu/bad4Y #2025recap

Earlier this year, we hosted the 2025 WIDER Development Conference in Helsinki, celebrating #WIDER40! Themes on growth, equity, and innovative solutions, the conference united leading minds to tackle global challenges. Looking forward to 2026 in New Delhi! #2025recap

After the global financial crisis, a key question emerged: Does aid actually work? The evidence from our research showed consistency: overall, aid delivers a high return. For 40 years, research to improve the lives of the world’s poorest has been central to our mission. #WIDER40

#SATIED research is in the media, with coverage focusing on the scale of investment required for South Africa’s energy transition and findings that green industrialisation is the least-cost pathway to net zero. Read the coverage: go.unu.edu/76RKx

Throwback to July at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla. At #FFD4, UNU-WIDER contributed to discussions on domestic revenue mobilization, debt sustainability, and reforms to the international financial architecture. #2025recap

Season’s greetings from all of us at UNU-WIDER 🎄 We want to send our thanks to all our partners, collaborators and wider community for your continued trust and collaboration. Please note our offices will be closed from 24 Dec–2 Jan. Warm wishes for the festive season!

How do violent pasts shape democratic politics decades later? A new Broadstreet blog by @laiabalcells.bsky.social, @apvjustino.bsky.social and @andrearuggeri.bsky.social dives into findings from the Comparative Political Studies special issue. Read more: go.unu.edu/fc9rP