The objective of this paper is to analyze the link between electrification and deforestation in Cote d’Ivoire. We first checked the compatibility of night lights intensity data with official electricity coverage statistics in Cote d’Ivoire available at the regional level. Then, using night lights intensity panel data, we study the links between electrification and deforestation, at a fine resolution (departments level), taking into account both spatial autocorrelation and individual heterogeneity. Our results show that electrification and deforestation rates are positively linked. Indeed, deforestation continues to gain ground in the country alongside the vast national electrification access programs ongoing since 2011.
