Tevin Tafese

Tevin Tafese serves as a Research Fellow and Research Team Spokesperson at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), focusing on the Globalisation and Development research programme. His work bridges academic research with policy applications, particularly in the Global South with emphasis on Africa.

His educational background includes:

• PhD candidate at the University of Göttingen and the GIGA Doctoral Programme (2017-present)
• MA in International Economics from the University of Göttingen (2015-2017)
• BA in Socioeconomics from the University of Hamburg and San Diego State University (2011-2014)

Tafese's research expertise spans development economics, labor markets, foreign direct investment, trade, and structural change, with growing focus on digitalization, technology, venture capital, and entrepreneurship in developing contexts. His work examines how digital technologies are reshaping economies, particularly in Africa, where tech startups are emerging in finance, retail, and transport sectors through innovations like mobile money and e-commerce platforms. He also investigates the relationship between special economic zones, foreign investment, and labor market outcomes in countries like Vietnam and across Africa.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on global supply chains, digital transformation in the Global South, and the impact of foreign investment on job creation. The research demonstrates how European supply chain regulations can promote sustainability, how Africa's digital transformation is unfolding amid geopolitical competition, and how foreign investment affects labor markets in developing economies.

Tafese actively contributes to policy discussions through research projects funded by organizations including the German Federal Foreign Office, GIZ, and BMZ. He has served as Research Project Coordinator for the Research Network Sustainable Global Supply Chains (2022-2026) and for projects examining platforms and online workers in India and Africa (2022-2023), among others. His work supports initiatives like the Special Initiative 'Decent Work for Just Transition' that address Africa's pressing employment challenges.

As a Research Team Spokesperson at GIGA, Tafese leads research initiatives while engaging with policymakers through lectures, media contributions, and public speaking engagements on topics including EU-Africa digital partnerships and African technological development.