Hélène EHRHART

Her research and studies have focused on the links between fiscal policy and sustainability issues—including climate change, biodiversity, and inequality—as well as on development finance and the macroeconomic analysis of AFD partner countries.

She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Auvergne (CERDI). Her doctoral research already focused on public finance, examining the challenges of domestic revenue mobilization in developing countries.

After three years as a research economist at the Banque de France, Hélène Ehrhart joined the Research Department of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), where she worked from 2014 to 2020. She contributed to the macroeconomic analysis of AFD partner countries and conducted research on public finance. In 2020, she became Task Team Leader for Financial Governance, overseeing several public financial management projects. During this period, she developed expertise in integrating climate considerations into fiscal policy, budgetary frameworks, and public policy. Returning to AFD's Research Department at the end of 2024, she has contributed to research aimed at incorporating biodiversity-related risks into macroeconomic analysis.

• “La qualité de la dépense publique dans les pays en développement : mesure et déterminants”, with E. Caldeira E., AA. Dama, H. Djoufelkit, G. Rota‐Graziosi, CERDI Études et Documents, n°6 (2021)
• "Aid and growth: evidence from firm-level data", with L. Chauvet, Journal of Development Economics, vol. 135, pp. 461-477 (2018)
• "Trade networks and colonial trade spillovers", with A. Berthou , Review of International Economics, vol. 25, issue 4, pp. 695-947 (2017)
• "Does migration foster exports? Evidence from Africa", with M. Le Goff, E. Rocher and R.J. Singh, Policy Research Working Paper, Banque mondiale n°6739 (2014)
• "Debt, seigniorage, and the Growth Laffer Curve in developing countries", with A. Minea and P. Villieu, Journal of Macroeconomics vol. 42, issue C, pp. 199-210 (2014)
• "Commodity price volatility and tax revenue: Evidence from developing countries", with S. Guérineau, Working Paper Series n° 423, Banque de France (2013)
• "Elections and the structure of taxation in developing countries", Public Choice, vol. 156, issue 1-2, pp. 195-211 (2013)
• "Tax Revenue Instability in Sub-Saharan Africa: Consequences and Remedies", with C. Ebeke, Journal of African Economies vol. 21, issue 1, pp. 1-27 (2012)
• "Direct Redistribution, Taxation, and Accountability in Oil-Rich Economies: A Proposal", with S. Devarajan, T.M. Le and G. Raballand, Working Paper n° 281, Center for Global Development (2011)