Development Economist

Joël
Cariolle

Ph.D  ·  HDR

Research Officer at FERDI and Affiliate Researcher at CERDI — University Clermont-Auvergne. My work investigates the digitalization process and its impact on economic development. I also work on economic vulnerability in Least Developed Countries, regional integration in sub-Saharan Africa, and corruption in developing economies.

Digital Corruption Regional Integration Vulnerability
Research Officer — FERDI, Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development
Affiliate Researcher — CERDI, University Clermont-Auvergne
Joël Cariolle presenting research

2nd Kiel-CEPR African Economic Development
Conference (AEDC)
Photo: Michael Stefan, Kiel Institute

Global submarine cable map

Global submarine cable networks — the physical backbone of the internet

New Research — 2026

2026

"Digital Disasters: The Macroeconomic Costs of Submarine Cable Breaks"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Working Paper P370, March 2026↗ Ferdi
2026

"Digital transformations in developing economies: From the first-mile infrastructure to the end-user finger tips"

Cariolle, J.

WIPO Economic Research Working Paper — World Intellectual Property Organization ↗ SSRN
2026

"Rural youth employment in the WAEMU"

Cariolle, J. & D'Souza, A.

Ferdi Report, 98 p.

Forthcoming

"Submarine Cable Infrastructure and Trade in Africa"

Cariolle, J. & Da Piedade, C.

In: Ferracane, M. & Nordas, H. (eds.), A Digital Trade Research Agenda on Africa, EUI Press Book Chapter

Featured Publications

2025

"Digital connectivity and firm participation in foreign markets: An exporter-based bilateral analysis"

Imbruno, M., Cariolle, J., & de Melo, J.

Journal of Development Economics, 177, 103551 In Press ↗ DOI
2023

Mobile Phones and Development in Africa: Does the Evidence Meet the Hype?

Aker, J. & Cariolle, J.

Palgrave MacMillan — Palgrave Studies in Agricultural Economics and Food Policy Series Book ↗ Palgrave
2019

"The Revolving Door, State Connections and Inequality of Influence in the Financial Sector"

Brezis, E.S. & Cariolle, J.

Journal of Institutional Economics, 15(4), 595–614 Elinor Ostrom Prize 2019 ↗ DOI

Recent Outreach

2026

"Invisible jobs: Unpaid care and women's employment in rural sub-Saharan Africa"

Dsouza, A. & Cariolle, J.

Global Development Blog, April 2026↗ globaldev.blog
2025

"Bridging the digital divide in global trade"

Cariolle, J., De Melo, J., & Imbruno, M.

VoxDev Blog, August 28, 2025

2024

"Strengthening social contracts in Africa: Is social media a blessing or a curse?"

Cariolle, J., Maurel, M., & Raballand, G.

World Bank Blog, September 2024

Peer-Reviewed Articles

2025

"Digital connectivity and firm participation in foreign markets: An exporter-based bilateral analysis"

Imbruno, M., Cariolle, J., & de Melo, J.

Journal of Development Economics, 177, 103551In Press↗ DOI
2024

"How internet helped firms cope with COVID-19"

Cariolle, J. & Leon, F.

Revue Economique, 75(4), 793–834↗ Link
2024

"Misinformation technology: Internet use and political misperceptions in Africa"

Cariolle, J., Elkhateeb, Y., & Maurel, M.

Journal of Comparative Economics, 52(2), 400–433↗ DOI
2023

"Digital Connectedness and Exports Upgrading: Is Sub-Saharan Africa Catching Up?"

Cariolle, J. & Da Piedade, C.

The World Economy, 46(11), 3325–3344↗ DOI
2023

"Spatial Internet Spillovers in Manufacturing"

Cariolle, J. & Le Goff, M.

Journal of Development Studies, 59(8), 1163–1186↗ DOI
2022

"How export shocks corrupt: Theory and evidence"

Cariolle, J. & Sekeris, P.G.

Journal of Government and Economics, 8, 100057↗ DOI
2021

"International Connectivity and the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa"

Cariolle, J.

Information Economics & Policy, 55, 100901↗ DOI
2019

"The Revolving Door, State Connections and Inequality of Influence in the Financial Sector"

Brezis, E.S. & Cariolle, J.

Journal of Institutional Economics, 15(4), 595–614Elinor Ostrom Prize 2019↗ DOI
2019

"Going beyond analysis of internal data to support customs modernization: A case study in Gabon"

Cariolle, J., Chalendard, C., Geourjon, A.M., & Laporte, B.

The World Economy, 42(6), 1850–1872↗ DOI
2019

"L'engagement dans l'intégration commerciale donne-t-il des résultats tangibles? Principes et application à l'UEMOA d'un indice d'engagement des États"

Cariolle, J., De Ubeda, A-A., & Geourjon, A-M.

Revue d'Economie du Développement, 27(1), 73–112↗ Cairn
2016

"Has structural economic vulnerability decreased in LDCs? Lessons drawn from retrospective indices"

Cariolle, J., Goujon, M., & Guillaumont, P.

Journal of Development Studies, 52(5), 591–606↗ DOI
2015

"Measuring Macroeconomic Instability: A critical Survey Illustrated with Export Series"

Cariolle, J. & Goujon, M.

Journal of Economic Surveys, 29(1), 1–26↗ DOI

Books & Book Chapters

2023

Mobile Phones and Development in Africa: Does the Evidence Meet the Hype?

Aker, J. & Cariolle, J.

Palgrave MacMillan — Palgrave Studies in Agricultural Economics and Food Policy SeriesBook↗ Palgrave
Forthcoming

"Submarine Cable Infrastructure and Trade in Africa"

Cariolle, J. & Da Piedade, C.

In: Ferracane, M. & Nordas, H. (eds.), A Digital Trade Research Agenda on Africa, EUI PressBook Chapter
2017

"Financial Sector Regulation and the Revolving Door in US Commercial Banks"

Brezis, E.S. & Cariolle, J.

In: Schofield & Caballero (eds.), State, Institutions and Democracy, Springer, pp. 53–76Book Chapter
2016

"Corruption in turbulent times: A response to export booms and busts"

Cariolle, J.

In: Sarris, A. (ed.), Commodity market instability and asymmetries in developing countries, Ferdi, 92 p.Book Chapter

Working Papers

2026

"Digital Disasters: The Macroeconomic Costs of Submarine Cable Breaks"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Working Paper P370, March 2026↗ Ferdi
2026

"Digital transformations in developing economies: From the first-mile infrastructure to the end-user finger tips"

Cariolle, J.

WIPO Economic Research Working Paper — World Intellectual Property Organization↗ SSRN
2025

"The Impact of Submarine Cables on Internet Access Price, and the Role of Competition and Regulation"

Cariolle, J., Houngbonon, G.V., Silue, T., & Strusani, D.

World Bank Policy Research WP; Ferdi WP P357, June 2025 — Submitted↗ World Bank
2024

"From phone access to food markets: Is mobile connectivity transforming West-African livelihoods?"

Cariolle, J. & Carroll II, A.D.

Ferdi Working Paper P341 (revised 2026) — Submitted↗ Ferdi
2019

"Broadband infrastructure deployment, digital vulnerability, and local firm performance in developing and transition countries"

Cariolle, J., Le Goff, M., & Santoni, O.

Banque de France WP #709↗ SSRN
2018

"Telecommunication Submarine-Cable Deployment and the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa"

Cariolle, J.

CESifo Working Paper No. 7415

2017

"Principes et application à l'UEMOA d'un indice d'engagement des Etats dans l'intégration commerciale"

Cariolle, J., De Ubeda, A-A., & Geourjon, A-M.

Ferdi Working Paper P202↗ PDF
2014

"Has structural economic vulnerability decreased in Least Developed Countries? Lessons drawn from retrospective indices"

Cariolle, J., Goujon, M., & Guillaumont, P.

Ferdi Working Paper, Development Policies Series

2013

"A Retrospective Economic Vulnerability Index, 1990–2011"

Cariolle, J. & Goujon, M.

Ferdi Working Paper I17, Innovative Indicator Series

2012

"Measuring Macroeconomic Instability: Applications to Export Revenue Data, 1970–2005"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Working Paper I14, Innovative Indicator Series

2011

"The Economic Vulnerability Index: 2010 Update"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Working Paper I09, Innovative Indicator Series

Work in Progress

Ameye, H., Cariolle, J. & Carroll II, A.D. — "Digitalization and nutrition security in the WAEMU."
Cariolle, J. & Carroll II, A.D. — "Mobile connectivity, labor market and farm productivity in rural West Africa."

Peer-Reviewed Articles

2025

"Digital connectivity and firm participation in foreign markets: An exporter-based bilateral analysis"

Imbruno, M., Cariolle, J., & de Melo, J.

Journal of Development Economics, 177, 103551In Press↗ DOI
2024

"How internet helped firms cope with COVID-19"

Cariolle, J. & Leon, F.

Revue Economique, 75(4), 793–834↗ Link
2024

"Misinformation technology: Internet use and political misperceptions in Africa"

Cariolle, J., Elkhateeb, Y., & Maurel, M.

Journal of Comparative Economics, 52(2), 400–433↗ DOI
2023

"Digital Connectedness and Exports Upgrading: Is Sub-Saharan Africa Catching Up?"

Cariolle, J. & Da Piedade, C.

The World Economy, 46(11), 3325–3344↗ DOI
2023

"Spatial Internet Spillovers in Manufacturing"

Cariolle, J. & Le Goff, M.

Journal of Development Studies, 59(8), 1163–1186↗ DOI
2021

"International Connectivity and the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa"

Cariolle, J.

Information Economics & Policy, 55, 100901↗ DOI

Book & Book Chapter

2023

Mobile Phones and Development in Africa: Does the Evidence Meet the Hype?

Aker, J. & Cariolle, J.

Palgrave MacMillanBook↗ Palgrave
Forthcoming

"Submarine Cable Infrastructure and Trade in Africa"

Cariolle, J. & Da Piedade, C.

In: Ferracane & Nordas (eds.), A Digital Trade Research Agenda on Africa, EUI PressBook Chapter

Working Papers

2026

"Digital Disasters: The Macroeconomic Costs of Submarine Cable Breaks"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Working Paper P370, March 2026↗ Ferdi
2026

"Digital transformations in developing economies: From the first-mile infrastructure to the end-user finger tips"

Cariolle, J.

WIPO Economic Research Working Paper↗ SSRN
2025

"The Impact of Submarine Cables on Internet Access Price, and the Role of Competition and Regulation"

Cariolle, J., Houngbonon, G.V., Silue, T., & Strusani, D.

World Bank Policy Research WP; Ferdi WP P357 — Submitted↗ World Bank
2024

"From phone access to food markets: Is mobile connectivity transforming West-African livelihoods?"

Cariolle, J. & Carroll II, A.D.

Ferdi WP P341 (revised 2026) — Submitted↗ Ferdi
2019

"Broadband infrastructure deployment, digital vulnerability, and local firm performance"

Cariolle, J., Le Goff, M., & Santoni, O.

Banque de France WP #709↗ SSRN
2018

"Telecommunication Submarine-Cable Deployment and the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa"

Cariolle, J.

CESifo Working Paper No. 7415

Work in Progress

Ameye, H., Cariolle, J. & Carroll II, A.D. — "Mapping nutrition security in the WAEMU."
Cariolle, J. & Carroll II, A.D. — "Mobile connectivity, and labor market integration in rural West Africa."

Peer-Reviewed Articles

2022

"How export shocks corrupt: Theory and evidence"

Cariolle, J. & Sekeris, P.G.

Journal of Government and Economics, 8, 100057↗ DOI
2019

"The Revolving Door, State Connections and Inequality of Influence in the Financial Sector"

Brezis, E.S. & Cariolle, J.

Journal of Institutional Economics, 15(4), 595–614Elinor Ostrom Prize 2019↗ DOI
2019

"Going beyond analysis of internal data to support customs modernization: A case study in Gabon"

Cariolle, J., Chalendard, C., Geourjon, A.M., & Laporte, B.

The World Economy, 42(6), 1850–1872↗ DOI

Book Chapters

2017

"Financial Sector Regulation and the Revolving Door in US Commercial Banks"

Brezis, E.S. & Cariolle, J.

In: Schofield & Caballero (eds.), State, Institutions and Democracy, Springer, pp. 53–76Book Chapter
2016

"Corruption in turbulent times: A response to export booms and busts"

Cariolle, J.

In: Sarris (ed.), Commodity market instability, FerdiBook Chapter

Policy Brief & Report

2015

"Corruption in Turbulent Times: A Response to Export Booms and Busts"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Policy Brief B139

2014

"Sizing Up the Distortive Power of the Revolving Door: the Revolving Door Indicator"

Brezis, E.S. & Cariolle, J.

U4 Brief, U4 Anti-Corruption Center, Norway (Bergen)

2010

"European Commission Support to Anti-Corruption in Partner Developing Countries"

Cariolle, J. & Kodi, M.W.

Background paper, European Commission review

Peer-Reviewed Articles

2016

"Has structural economic vulnerability decreased in LDCs? Lessons drawn from retrospective indices"

Cariolle, J., Goujon, M., & Guillaumont, P.

Journal of Development Studies, 52(5), 591–606↗ DOI
2015

"Measuring Macroeconomic Instability: A critical Survey Illustrated with Export Series"

Cariolle, J. & Goujon, M.

Journal of Economic Surveys, 29(1), 1–26↗ DOI

Working Papers

2014

"Has structural economic vulnerability decreased in LDCs? Lessons drawn from retrospective indices"

Cariolle, J., Goujon, M., & Guillaumont, P.

Ferdi Working Paper, Development Policies Series

2013

"A Retrospective Economic Vulnerability Index, 1990–2011"

Cariolle, J. & Goujon, M.

Ferdi Working Paper I17, Innovative Indicator Series

2012

"Measuring Macroeconomic Instability: Applications to Export Revenue Data, 1970–2005"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Working Paper I14, Innovative Indicator Series

2011

"The Economic Vulnerability Index: 2010 Update"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Working Paper I09, Innovative Indicator Series

Policy Briefs

2012

"Measuring Macroeconomic Instability: Applications to Export Revenue Data, 1970–2005"

Cariolle, J.

Ferdi Policy Brief B47

2011

"The Economic Vulnerability Index: 2010 Update"

Cariolle, J. & Guillaumont, P.

Ferdi Policy Brief B17

Databases

↗ Build Your Own Economic Vulnerability Index — byind.ferdi.fr Economic Vulnerability Index (retrospective series) — available via FERDI

Peer-Reviewed Article

2019

"L'engagement dans l'intégration commerciale donne-t-il des résultats tangibles? Principes et application à l'UEMOA d'un indice d'engagement des États"

Cariolle, J., De Ubeda, A-A., & Geourjon, A-M.

Revue d'Economie du Développement, 27(1), 73–112↗ Cairn

Working Paper & Reports

2017

"Principes et application à l'UEMOA d'un indice d'engagement des Etats dans l'intégration commerciale"

Cariolle, J., De Ubeda, A-A., & Geourjon, A-M.

Ferdi Working Paper P202↗ PDF
2017

"Mesurer l'engagement des États membres dans l'Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine"

Cariolle, J., De Ubeda, A-A., & Geourjon, A-M.

Ferdi Report, February 2017↗ PDF
2015

"Etat des lieux sur la disponibilité des données à l'UEMOA et sur les Processus de Collecte Statistique"

Cariolle, J. & Geourjon, A-M.

Ferdi Report, November 2015↗ PDF

Policy Briefs

2017

"Établir un indice d'engagement des États pour l'intégration commerciale: principes et application à l'UEMOA"

Cariolle, J., De Ubeda, A-A., & Geourjon, A-M.

Ferdi Policy Brief B168, April 2017

2015

"Renforcer l'intégration régionale et mesurer ses progrès : intérêt et principes d'un indice d'engagement des États"

Cariolle, J. & Geourjon, A-M.

Ferdi Policy Brief B116

Database

↗ State Commitment to Trade Integration Index — download dataset (.xlsx)

Curriculum Vitae

Joël Cariolle  ·  Ph.D, HDR  ·  Development Economist

↓ Download CV (PDF) ↓ Download CV (.docx)

Contact

Interested in research collaboration, policy work, or academic inquiry?

✉ joel.cariolle@ferdi.fr
FERDI
Fondation pour les Études et Recherches sur le Développement International
63 boulevard François-Mitterrand
63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France

CERDI — Université Clermont-Auvergne