PHD Programme in Climate Change Economics 2025

WASCAL is a wholly West African international organization with focus on academic and transdisciplinary research, building graduate-level scientific capacity and serving policy makers in West Africa with science-based advice on adaptation to climate change impacts and land use management. It cooperates with many agencies and universities in the region, providing a knowledge platform of excellence for its partners. WASCAL is funded by BMBF, multilateral and bilateral partners and its 11 West African member countries, namely: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

Objectives

• Graduates will, therefore, be well skilled in order to jointly fulfill the following points:
  • Promote an integrated approach to climate change issues
  • Build capacities to assess the impacts of climate change on economics sectors to develop adaptation strategies and build resilience mostly for vulnerable communities of West Africa
  • Promote an operational approach to knowledge in the field of climate change particularly through case studies
  • Develop strategies for better technology absorption in the green economy

Benefits

• A monthly stipend to take care of accommodation and living expenses
• Research Budget
• A four-month English language courses for Francophones and Lusophone students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and French language courses for Anglophones at University of Lome, Togo.
• 3-6 months travel to Germany for data analysis
• Tuition
• This PhD programme will allow students to hold the following jobs:
  • Lecturer in universities
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation project developer
  • Expert in climate change economics issues with national or international institutions
  • Economist in, a government agency or an international organization
  • Researcher

Poles

• The PhD program in Climate Change Economics is composed of two poles: Training and Research:
  • Training – The training includes four modules specified in the following way:
    • Module 1: Quantitative Tools
    • Module 2: Economic Theory and Climate Change
    • Module 3: Resources Economics and Climate Change
    • Module 4: Cross-cutting Module
  • Research – The research part consists of four phases:
    • Phase I: Writing and validation of the research project
    • Phase II: Field study
    • Phase III: Internship in Germany
    • Phase IV: Final writing of these at UCAD

Eligibility Criteria

• PhD in Climate Change Economics is opened to:
  • Students from partner countries in West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, The Gambia, and Togo)
  • Holders of a Master II / DEA in Economics or equivalent
  • With no more than 40 years old at the end of December 2025.
  • Having a good English proficiency
  • Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit WASCAL.