Deivy Houeix: Redefining Development Economics Through Digital Innovation

Deivy Houeix is a French economist and a Ph.D. candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in development economics. With a sharp focus on digital payments, informal labor markets, and the broader digital transformation of low-income economies—especially in West Africa—Houeix’s work is helping shape economic policy and improve real-world financial systems. His studies utilize large-scale field experiments to understand how technology adoption can boost productivity, transparency, and trust in sectors often overlooked by traditional economic models.

Early Life and Education

Deivy Houeix was born in France, although specific details about his birth year and age are not publicly confirmed. Based on his academic trajectory and professional milestones, he is estimated to be in his late twenties to early thirties as of 2025. Raised in a family that valued education and intellectual curiosity, Houeix pursued his undergraduate and master’s studies in economics at leading French institutions before moving to the United States for his doctoral studies. His academic journey led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is currently completing his Ph.D. in Economics with a secondary concentration in Organizational Economics.

Academic Excellence at MIT

At MIT, Deivy Houeix has carved a distinct space for himself among the brightest minds in economic research. He is particularly known for his methodological rigor and practical orientation. His work sits at the intersection of development economics, digital technology, and organizational behavior. He studies how the introduction of digital tools like mobile money, digital ledgers, and payment platforms affect economic outcomes for individuals and firms in emerging economies. His research is supervised by globally respected economists and forms part of MIT’s broader initiative to apply economics for social good.

Research Focus and Contributions

Digital Payments and Informal Economies

Houeix’s flagship research investigates the impact of digital payment systems on labor markets, especially within the informal transport sector in Senegal. He explores how making earnings observable through digital platforms affects worker productivity, accountability, and employer trust. His job market paper revealed that while observability can improve monitoring, it may also deter participation from lower-performing individuals, suggesting a trade-off between transparency and adoption.

Supply Chain Frictions

In partnership with fellow researcher Edward Wiles, Houeix conducted field studies in the Senegalese garment industry. The project examined how digital platforms reduce friction in supply chains by increasing trust and decreasing search costs. The research found that garment firms benefitted significantly from digital tools, reporting higher profitability and improved product quality.

Financial Inclusion and Electrification

Houeix’s work on rural electrification in Togo explores the interplay between mobile money access, government subsidies, and the adoption of solar home systems. The study concluded that financial inclusion strategies are crucial in accelerating sustainable energy access, as they lower the entry barrier for rural households.

Recognition and Impact

Deivy Houeix’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious Daniel Cohen Award from the Paris School of Economics. This accolade honors young economists who demonstrate both academic excellence and policy relevance. Houeix’s research has influenced digital finance providers and policy-makers in West Africa, leading to system-level changes that enhance user privacy and encourage technology adoption among marginalized workers.

Upcoming Roles and Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Deivy Houeix will join the Economics Division at Columbia Business School as an Assistant Professor in 2027. Before that, he will undertake a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University’s Center for History and Economics. These roles not only underscore his rising academic stature but also reflect his interdisciplinary appeal, blending modern economic theory with historical and policy-oriented perspectives.

Personal Life and Background

While Deivy Houeix is increasingly a public figure in academic circles, he maintains a relatively private personal life. There is limited public information available regarding his family or relationships. This discretion allows him to focus intently on his work and public contributions, rather than media attention. Nonetheless, it’s clear from his research approach that his values are deeply aligned with improving social equity and economic access.

Deivy Houeix Age

Though his exact age has not been disclosed in public records or official bios, estimates based on his education timeline suggest that Deivy Houeix is likely between 28 and 32 years old in 2025. He began his academic and professional journey early, quickly establishing himself in elite academic settings.

Deivy Houeix Net Worth

As a Ph.D. candidate and soon-to-be Assistant Professor, Deivy Houeix is in the early stages of his professional earning potential. While specific figures on his net worth are unavailable, it is expected to grow significantly as he transitions into his faculty role at Columbia Business School and continues to receive research grants and awards. Given his trajectory, his long-term financial and intellectual capital is promising.

Deivy Houeix Wikipedia

As of now, Deivy Houeix does not have an official Wikipedia page. However, given his rising academic profile and contributions to development economics, it is likely only a matter of time before a page is created to document his achievements. His work is already cited in several academic and policy platforms, adding to his credibility and digital footprint.

Why Deivy Houeix Matters

Deivy Houeix represents a new generation of economists who blend fieldwork with advanced economic modeling to solve real-world problems. His focus on technology as a tool for economic transformation sets him apart in a discipline often dominated by abstract theory. Houeix doesn’t just theorize change—he tests it, measures it, and helps implement it. That hands-on approach, combined with a commitment to policy relevance, makes his work particularly impactful.

Final Thoughts

Deivy Houeix is undoubtedly a name to watch in global economics. His innovative research is redefining how we understand the intersection of digital technology and economic development. Whether through his work on digital payments, supply chain transparency, or financial inclusion, Houeix is contributing insights that will shape economic thinking for years to come. With a promising academic future and a growing body of influential work, he is poised to be one of the most important economic voices of his generation.