About The Staff Member

Dr. Aaron Alesane is a Development Economist and Research Scientist at the CSIR–Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR–STEPRI), with over 20 years of experience in research, policy analysis, and international development. His work focuses on development finance, financial inclusion, institutional economics, and economic policy, with particular emphasis on how financial systems and policy frameworks shape livelihoods and inclusive growth in emerging economies. His research integrates econometric analysis, institutional approaches, and field-based insights to inform evidence-based policymaking.

Dr. Alesane is the author of Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana (Routledge, 2022), which advances the Microfinance Livelisystem Framework - a conceptual model that situates microfinance institutions within broader financial and economic ecosystems—and the Household Livelisystem Model, which examines intra-household decision-making dynamics shaping livelihood strategies.

Beyond academic scholarship, he contributes to public policy debates on Ghana’s economic development trajectory. His policy analysis “Structural and policy challenges in an emerging market economy: how the 2026 budget statement and economic policy addresses the country’s socio-economic fundamentals,” published in Business & Financial Times, critically evaluates Ghana’s fiscal consolidation strategy and structural reforms in the context of macroeconomic stabilization and inclusive growth.

 Prior to joining CSIR-STEPRI, he served as Head of the Business and Information Services Division at the CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research, where he led initiatives to strengthen research–industry partnerships and the commercialization of research outputs. As part his academic career, Dr. Alesane is Adjunct Senior Fellow of Finance at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA Business School) Legon, Adjunct Lecturer of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Legon Accra, Lecturer of the CSIR College of Science and Technology and the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), Madina Accra. 

He holds a PhD in International Development from the University of Reading, UK, along with multiple postgraduate degrees in economics and development finance. His work continues to support inclusive finance, sustainable development, and economic resilience across Africa.

Chapters in the Book

Alesane, A. (2022). The conceptual, theoretical and epistemological perspectives of livelihoods, microfinance and the rhetoric of poverty reduction. In: Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana, pp. 10–43. London: Routledge.

Alesane, A. (2022). The context of the global microfinance industry. In: Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana, pp. 44–73. London: Routledge.

Alesane, A. (2022). The state of financial services and financial inclusion in Ghana. In: Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana, pp. 74–114. London: Routledge.

Alesane, A. (2022). Designing microfinance products and services for financial inclusion in Ghana. In: Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana, pp. 115–175. London: Routledge.

Alesane, A. (2022). Determinants of microfinance uptake in Ghana. In: Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana, pp. 176–187. London: Routledge.

Alesane, A. (2022). Impacts of household access to microfinance in Ghana. In: Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana, pp. 188–220. London: Routledge.

Selected Journal Publications

Alesane, A., Yussif, K., & Tetteh Anang, B. (2019). Determinants of Village Savings and Loans Association membership and savings amounts in Ghana. Cogent Economics & Finance.

Alesane, A., & Anang, B. T. (2018). Uptake of health insurance by the rural poor in Ghana: determinants and implications for policy. Pan African Medical Journal.

Anang, B. T., Akuriba, M. A., & Alesane, A. (2011). Charcoal production in Northern Ghana: lessons for sustainable forest management. International Journal of Environmental Sciences.

Current Research Projects

• Financial sector ecosystems and inclusive finance in Ghana
• Contract enforcement in microfinance systems
• Public debt sustainability and macroeconomic stabilization in Ghana
• Financial inclusion and household livelihood systems
• Sustainable finance and development in Africa

Key Achievements and Recognition

• Commonwealth Doctoral Scholar, University of Reading, United Kingdom
• Author of the Routledge monograph Microfinance, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Ghana
• Former Head of Division, Business and Information Services Division, CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research
• Leadership in strengthening research commercialization and industry partnerships within CSIR
• Over 15 years of international development practice with organizations including Transparency International, Wellcome Trust, Solidaridad West Africa, Plan International, World Vision, and IFAD