Travel Bursary Report February 2026- Talent Nesongano
Name: Talent Nesongano
Department: Economics
Conference: 21st International Economics Association World Congress, 22–26 June 2026
Location: Sava Congress Centre, Belgrade, Serbia
Support from the TRiSS Travel Bursary enabled me to attend the 21st International Economics Association World Congress, 2026, where I presented my paper titled “Legacy of Apartheid: Misallocation of Labour and Firm Productivity.”
The World Congress is a major event in the academic economics calendar, bringing together scholars from across the world and from different fields within the discipline. Policymakers and representatives from non-governmental organisations, international organisations, and national governments also attend it. The conference therefore provided an excellent opportunity to present my research, learn from leading experts, and engage in wider discussions on current issues in economics.
Alongside the formal conference programme, I had the opportunity to meet with several leading economists in my fields of interest. These conversations provided useful feedback on my current research projects and helped me think more clearly about their contribution and future development. I also had the chance to engage with leaders of organisations such as the Partnership for Economic Policy, the International Economics Association, and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability. In addition, I connected with the former Director of Research at the World Trade Organisation, whose insights were valuable for thinking about the policy relevance of my work.
The paper examines how historical discriminatory labour-market institutions in South Africa continue to shape economic outcomes decades after their formal repeal. The findings show that apartheid-era restrictions remain associated with persistent labour misallocation, even in contexts where average firm productivity does not differ. The paper provides perspective on the long-run economic legacy of institutionalised discrimination.
Overall, attending the 21st International Economics Association World Congress was highly beneficial for my academic and professional development. It gave me the opportunity to present my work to an international audience, receive feedback from scholars and policy experts, and build connections that will support the development of my research career. I am grateful to TRiSS for the financial support that made my participation possible.
If interested, the working paper version is available here.