Elizabeth Asiedu, Ph.D., is a professor of economics at Howard University whose scholarship focuses on development economics, international economics, and macroeconomics. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also completed master’s degrees in Economics and Mathematics, after receiving a bachelor’s degree with honors in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Ghana. Before joining Howard University in 2021, Asiedu spent more than two decades on the faculty at the University of Kansas, where she held leadership roles including Associate Department Chair and Director of Graduate Studies.
Asiedu’s research examines the drivers of economic development in Africa and other developing regions, with particular emphasis on foreign direct investment, international trade, gender and economic opportunity, and the role of institutions and policy in shaping growth outcomes. Her work has been widely published in leading journals including World Development, Journal of International Economics, Review of Economics and Statistics, and American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings. Recognized internationally for her scholarly contributions, Dr. Asiedu has been listed among the world’s top 2 percent of scientists and ranks among the top economists globally on RePEc and SSRN. Her research and policy expertise have also informed work with organizations such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
In addition to her research and teaching, Asiedu is a leading advocate for expanding opportunities for women in economics. She is the founder and president of the Association for the Advancement of African Women Economists (AAAWE), an organization dedicated to mentoring and supporting women economists across Africa and the diaspora. Her leadership and mentorship have earned numerous honors, including the 2025 American Economic Association Distinguished Service Award and the Cecilia A. Conrad Impactful Mentor Award. Through her scholarship, global policy engagement, and commitment to mentorship, Asiedu continues to play an influential role in advancing research and building the next generation of scholars in development economics.