This study investigated the potential role of corruption and democracy in the expenditure-economic growth nexus. Economic literature predicts economic growth-enhancing activities of various core functions of government. However, excess government expenditure, in corrupt and undemocratic countries, may slow down the overall performance of the economy through rent-seeking activities, ineffectiveness and engaging in unproductive projects. The research objective is to analyze the role of democrac...
The study analyzes the relationship between private transfers, foreign direct investment (FDI) and official transfers in Ghana. The research relies on the quarterly frequency time series data from the Ghana Statistical Service for the period 2003-2022. Phillips-Perron (PP) test and the Engle-Granger approach were used to investigate the properties of the data concerning unit roots and cointegration respectively. The ordinary least squares (OLS) regression technique and Granger causality test ...
Abstract: The study tests the effect of macroeconomic variables on economic growth, establishes the key drivers of economic growth and the casual relationship between economic growth and macroeconomic variables. Annual macroeconomic data was used for the period 1975-2012. The study employed the Vector error correction model and Vector Autoregression techniques. Findings suggest that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and inflation had a positive effect on economic growth, the key drivers of eco...
Abstract: The study investigates whether policies, both regional and country-specific, should mainly focus on accelerating economic growth in the region to reduce youth unemployment in the SADC region. In this endeavour, the study is based on Okun’s law which prescribes that unemployment rates should generally begin to fall when economic growth rates rise above the economy’s potential. The study uses panel data for selected SADC countries whose annual youth unemployment rate is above the...
Abstract: Zimbabwe experienced hyperinflation (2000-2008) followed by dollarization from 2009 onwards which had implications on dividend policy. In this context, this study isolates the main determinants and examines their behaviour across the distribution of dividend policy. The study employs quantile regression analysis and a sample of 30 firms listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), covering the period 2000 to 2016. The fixed effects (FE) analysis is applied as a base model. The m...
Abstract: Most of the knowledge-based economies (KBEs) operate in a neoclassical economic model that does not recognize the importance of natural resources and sustainability beyond the market forces. In contrast, KBEs that rely on endogenous factors harmonize with the enlightened anthropocentrism for sustainable development with scientific and technical abilities to design the ecological system for infusing human values into nature. For example, the Quintuple Helix Model of Innovation. In t...
Abstract: This paper explores the inter-connectedness of remittances and financial development and how their associated covariates such as savings, investment, money supply and economic growth are impacted by this relationship. The study employs a panel vector autoregression (P-VAR) estimation technique, and the generalized methods of moments (GMM) are applied after removing fixed effects and lagged regressors are used as instruments to have consistent estimators. The main findings of the st...
Abstract: The quest for the diversification of Botswana’s mineral-led economy necessitates an examination of other performing ones such as the Tourism-Transport and Finance-Consulting small service sectors which have been identified as also contributing immensely to its economy. So, this paper investigates variations in market orientation and performance among small service firms in Botswana. In more specific terms, it involves analysis of variations with regard to tourism-transport and fi...
Abstract: The research investigates into the impediments and the best practice use of derivatives in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. The research has been based on a mixed method research approach. The significance of the study has been to identify the gaps in the use of derivatives and the factors that have given rise to the gaps. It has been revealed that Banks in Zimbabwe only use the simple forward agreements derivative to hedge risk. In Botswana only simple forward agreements, fore...
Abstract: The growth rate for the Botswana economy has slowed down in recent years. This has been explained by weak global demand in minerals, subdued commodity prices and persistent electricity supply problems. The government is making efforts to diversify the economy to tap from other sources of growth. The government has come with two initiatives to boast growth: increasing expenditure on roads and improved generation of electricity. Literature has failed to agree on the causal linkage be...
Abstract: The study used time series data for Zimbabwe (1975-2012) to: (i) empirically determine the link between economic growth and four macroeconomic variables (Foreign Direct Investment, volume of trade, Inflation and capital accumulation) (ii) analyze the impact of these macroeconomic variables on economic growth (iii) test if innovations in macroeconomic variables influence on the rate of economic growth and vice versa and (iv) establish the major drivers of economic growth. Using the ...
Abstract: Emerging economies are still faced with need to improve economic growth. One of the main drivers of growth in literature has been found to be electricity consumption. However literature fails to explain the relationship between economic growth and electricity consumption. It is against this background that the study examines the presence of the long run relationship between economic growth and electricity consumption in Botswana. The study use annual time series data for the period...
The unprecedented growth of mobile phones to make transactions has become a dependable form of payment for low-income earners living in rural and urban Kenya, increasing demand for goods and services and stimulating demand for money. However, its effect on money demand and subsequent effect on monetary policy is inconclusive as observed from past empirical studies. Furthermore, the rapid adoption of mobile money has generated new data needs and growing interest in understanding its contributi...
Abstract: Disruptions in the food supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have destabilized the balance between production, supply, transport, distribution, and consumption. Consequently, these disruptions have affected food and nutritional security all over the world. This study proposes a framework for investigating the impact of COVID-19 on food supply chains, considering Eastern Africa as a focus region with Kenya and Rwanda as case studies. A systems thinking approach with three s...
Recently most nations have been experiencing reduced gross savings due to external shocks, among them the financial crisis and coronavirus disease-related macroeconomic costs, this study investigates the role of the inflation rate in explaining the variation in the saving behaviour in Kenya. Available empirical works have been conducted mostly in advanced economies and hence are difficult to generalize for developing countries considering differences in macro economic conditions. Therefore, t...