Ashagrie Demile

Ashagrie holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Verona, Italy. His research interests center on development economics and finance in developing countries. His doctoral research examined the causal impact of regulation on banks’ liquidity and lending behavior, as well as the technology spillovers and wage inequality from foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ethiopia. Currently, his research focuses on identifying the causal impact of smartphone ownership and internet access on welfare, contributing to the growing body of evidence on how technology influences economic development. His broader research portfolio includes work on inflation thresholds, and consumption behavior in urban Ethiopia.

With over a decade of experience in academia and research, Ashagrie has collaborated with renowned institutions such as the World Bank, the National Bank of Ethiopia, and the Policy Studies Institute (formerly the Ethiopian Development Research Institute – EDRI) in various research and advisory roles. He has also served as a lecturer at Addis Ababa University and the University of Gondar, where he contributed to the academic development of students in economics.

Starting in February 2024, Ashagrie joined the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a consultant, where he leverages his expertise in impact evaluation and supports projects. He holds two master’s degrees in economics, one from the University of Verona, Italy, and the other from the University of Antwerp, Belgium.