TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Amarasinghe, Ashani
AU  - Hodler, Roland
AU  - Raschky, Paul A.
AU  - Zenou, Yves
        TI  - Key Players in Economic Development
        PY  - 2020/Mar/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 13071
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp13071
        AB  - This paper analyzes the role of networks in the spatial diffusion of local economic shocks in Africa. We show that road and ethnic connectivity are particularly important factors for diffusing economic spillovers over longer distances. We then determine the key players, i.e., which districts are key in propagating local economic shocks across Africa. Using these results, we conduct counterfactual policy exercises to evaluate the potential gains from policies that increase economic activity in specific districts or improve road connectivity between districts. 
        KW  - networks
KW  - spatial spillovers
KW  - key player centrality
KW  - natural resources
KW  - transportation
KW  - Africa
        ER  -