Bédia François Aka, a teacher at the Department of Economics at University of Bouaké, has written a journal article in which he investigates the implementation of a basic income in Côte d’Ivoire.

Abstract:

This paper tries to engage the economic and political debate around the proposition of a basic income grant (BIG) in Côte d’Ivoire. We simulate the economic wide and distributional impact of a universal basic income grant (BIG) in Cote d’Ivoire. How the BIG is financed is investigated. We use a microsimulated computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to analyze the effects of a universal basic income grant on the economy and on households. The model is performed using a Côte d’Ivoire’s 2003 social accounting matrix (SAM) based on the 1998 household survey composed of 4,200 households, and 2003 national accounts data. The paper uses a value added tax (VAT) financing approach to provide a reasonable feasible scenario, as we are all consumers. The results suggest that the macroeconomic impacts of the basic income grant are a powerful social protection tool in fighting poverty and inequality towards a welfare state.

The paper is available online as a free PDF file here.

Bedia François, “Quantitative Impacts Of Basic Income Grant On Income Distribution In Cote D’Ivoire: Time To Change Our Societies,” Revista Galega de Economía, Vol. 25-1 (2016).


Photo of women and girls of Côte d’Ivoire CC Krishna (2011)