AGDI currently has about 300 publications.
2016 |
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| 561. | Asongu, Jacinta Nwachukwu Simplice C A 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Banking; Mobile Phones; Shadow Economy; Financial Development; Africa @workingpaper{Asongu_557, author = {Jacinta Nwachukwu C Simplice A. Asongu}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Mobile-Phone-Penetration.-Mobile-Banking-and-Inclusive-Development-in-Africa.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-07-01}, abstract = {The study assesses the role of mobile phones and mobile banking in decreasing inequality in 52 African countries. The empirical procedure involves first, examining the income-redistributive effect of mobile phone penetration and then investigating the contribution of mobile banking services in this relationship. The findings suggest an equalizing income-redistributive effect of ‘mobile phone penetration’ and ‘mobile banking’, with a higher income-equalizing effect from mobile banking compared to mobile phone penetration. Poverty alleviation channels explaining this difference in inequality mitigating propensity are discussed.}, keywords = {Banking; Mobile Phones; Shadow Economy; Financial Development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } The study assesses the role of mobile phones and mobile banking in decreasing inequality in 52 African countries. The empirical procedure involves first, examining the income-redistributive effect of mobile phone penetration and then investigating the contribution of mobile banking services in this relationship. The findings suggest an equalizing income-redistributive effect of ‘mobile phone penetration’ and ‘mobile banking’, with a higher income-equalizing effect from mobile banking compared to mobile phone penetration. Poverty alleviation channels explaining this difference in inequality mitigating propensity are discussed. |
| 562. | Asongu, Jacinta Nwachukwu Simplice C A Comparative Economic Studies, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Catch-up, research and development @article{Asongu_558, author = {Jacinta Nwachukwu C Simplice A. Asongu}, url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41294-016-0008-y}, doi = {10.1057/s41294-016-0008-y}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-28}, journal = {Comparative Economic Studies}, abstract = {This paper provides global empirical evidence on cross-country differences in scientific and technical publications. Its purpose is to model the future of scientific knowledge monopoly in order to understand whether the impressive growth experienced by latecomers in the industry has been accompanied by a similar catch-up in scientific capabilities and knowledge contribution. The empirical evidence for the period 1994–2010 is based on 41 panels which together consist of 99 countries. The large dataset allows us to disaggregate countries into fundamental characteristics based on income levels (high-income, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income and low-income), legal origins (English common-law, French civil-law, German civil-law and Scandinavian civil-law) and regional proximity (South Asia, Europe and Central Asia; East Asia and the Pacific; Middle East and North Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa). Three main issues are investigated: the presence or not of catch-up processes, the speed of the catch-up processes and the time needed for a complete elimination of country differences in scientific and technical publications. The findings based on absolute and conditional catch-up patterns broadly show that advanced countries will continue to dominate in scientific knowledge contribution. Policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {Catch-up, research and development}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper provides global empirical evidence on cross-country differences in scientific and technical publications. Its purpose is to model the future of scientific knowledge monopoly in order to understand whether the impressive growth experienced by latecomers in the industry has been accompanied by a similar catch-up in scientific capabilities and knowledge contribution. The empirical evidence for the period 1994–2010 is based on 41 panels which together consist of 99 countries. The large dataset allows us to disaggregate countries into fundamental characteristics based on income levels (high-income, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income and low-income), legal origins (English common-law, French civil-law, German civil-law and Scandinavian civil-law) and regional proximity (South Asia, Europe and Central Asia; East Asia and the Pacific; Middle East and North Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa). Three main issues are investigated: the presence or not of catch-up processes, the speed of the catch-up processes and the time needed for a complete elimination of country differences in scientific and technical publications. The findings based on absolute and conditional catch-up patterns broadly show that advanced countries will continue to dominate in scientific knowledge contribution. Policy implications are discussed. |
| 563. | Nwachukwu, Simplice Asongu Jacinta A C Information Development, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Mobile phones; catch-up; inclusive human development; Africa @article{Asongu_559, author = {Simplice A. Asongu Jacinta C. Nwachukwu}, url = {http://idv.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/06/20/0266666916655189.abstract}, doi = {10.1177/0266666916655189}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-21}, journal = {Information Development}, abstract = {The success of inclusive development strategies in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda depends substantially on the adoption of common inclusive development policies among nations. Building on the relevance of a knowledge economy in the post-2015 development agenda, this study models the feasibility of common policies for inclusive human development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). More specifically, we investigate the complementary role of knowledge diffusion in the inclusive benefits of mobile phone penetration in SSA from 2000 to 2012 by employing the Generalised Method of Moments. Knowledge diffusion variables include educational quality, innovation and Internet penetration. The main finding is that inclusive human development is persistently conditional on mobile phones in knowledge diffusion. Moreover, countries with low levels of inclusive human development are catching-up their counterparts with higher development. Policy implications are discussed with particular emphasis on how to leverage common knowledge economy initiatives for inclusive development.}, keywords = {Mobile phones; catch-up; inclusive human development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The success of inclusive development strategies in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda depends substantially on the adoption of common inclusive development policies among nations. Building on the relevance of a knowledge economy in the post-2015 development agenda, this study models the feasibility of common policies for inclusive human development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). More specifically, we investigate the complementary role of knowledge diffusion in the inclusive benefits of mobile phone penetration in SSA from 2000 to 2012 by employing the Generalised Method of Moments. Knowledge diffusion variables include educational quality, innovation and Internet penetration. The main finding is that inclusive human development is persistently conditional on mobile phones in knowledge diffusion. Moreover, countries with low levels of inclusive human development are catching-up their counterparts with higher development. Policy implications are discussed with particular emphasis on how to leverage common knowledge economy initiatives for inclusive development. |
| 564. | Asongu, Jacinta Nwachukwu Simplice C A World Development, 86 (October), pp. 133-147, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Mobile phones; Governance; Africa @article{Asongu_560, author = {Jacinta Nwachukwu C Simplice A. Asongu}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X15312626}, doi = {10.1016/j.worlddev.2016.05.012}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-16}, journal = {World Development}, volume = {86}, number = {October}, pages = {133-147}, abstract = {This study assesses the mobile phone in the diffusion of knowledge for better governance in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2012. For this purpose we employ Generalised Method of Moments with forward orthogonal deviations. The empirical evidence is based on three complementary knowledge diffusion variables (innovation, internet penetration and educational quality) and 10 governance indicators that are bundled and unbundled. The following are the main findings. First, there is an unconditional positive effect of mobile phone penetration on good governance. Second, the net effects on political, economic, and institutional governances that are associated with the interaction of the mobile phone with knowledge diffusion variables are positive for the most part. Third, countries with low levels of governance are catching-up their counterparts with higher levels of governance. The above findings are broadly consistent with theoretical underpinnings on the relevance of mobile phones in mitigating bad governance in Africa. The evidence of some insignificant net effects and decreasing marginal impacts may be an indication that the mobile phone could also be employed to decrease government quality. Overall, this study has established net positive effects for the most part. Five rationales could elicit the positive net effects on good governance from the interaction between mobile phones and knowledge diffusion, among others, the knowledge variables enhance: reach, access, adoption, cost-effectiveness, and interaction. In a nut shell, the positive net effects are apparent because the knowledge diffusion variables complement mobile phones in reducing information asymmetry and monopoly that create conducive conditions for bad governance. The contribution of the findings to existing theories and justifications of the underlying positive net effects are discussed.}, keywords = {Mobile phones; Governance; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study assesses the mobile phone in the diffusion of knowledge for better governance in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2012. For this purpose we employ Generalised Method of Moments with forward orthogonal deviations. The empirical evidence is based on three complementary knowledge diffusion variables (innovation, internet penetration and educational quality) and 10 governance indicators that are bundled and unbundled. The following are the main findings. First, there is an unconditional positive effect of mobile phone penetration on good governance. Second, the net effects on political, economic, and institutional governances that are associated with the interaction of the mobile phone with knowledge diffusion variables are positive for the most part. Third, countries with low levels of governance are catching-up their counterparts with higher levels of governance. The above findings are broadly consistent with theoretical underpinnings on the relevance of mobile phones in mitigating bad governance in Africa. The evidence of some insignificant net effects and decreasing marginal impacts may be an indication that the mobile phone could also be employed to decrease government quality. Overall, this study has established net positive effects for the most part. Five rationales could elicit the positive net effects on good governance from the interaction between mobile phones and knowledge diffusion, among others, the knowledge variables enhance: reach, access, adoption, cost-effectiveness, and interaction. In a nut shell, the positive net effects are apparent because the knowledge diffusion variables complement mobile phones in reducing information asymmetry and monopoly that create conducive conditions for bad governance. The contribution of the findings to existing theories and justifications of the underlying positive net effects are discussed. |
| 565. | Ssozi, Simplice Asongu John A African Development Review, 28 (2), pp. 215-228, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: External capital flows, Human Capital, Total Factor Productivity @article{Asongu_561, author = {Simplice Asongu A John Ssozi}, url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8268.12191/abstract}, doi = {10.1111/1467-8268.12191}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-15}, journal = {African Development Review}, volume = {28}, number = {2}, pages = {215-228}, abstract = {Using the two-step system general method of moments panel data analysis we first investigate the effects of external financial flows on total factor productivity and technological gain, and then use the beta catch-up and sigma convergence to compare dispersions in output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the years 1980–2010. The comparative evidence is articulated with income levels, years of schooling, and health factors. We find; first, a positive association between foreign direct investment, trade openness, foreign aid, remittances and total factor productivity. However, when foreign direct investment is interacted with schooling, its direct effect becomes negative on total factor productivity. Second, beta catch-up is between 19.22 percent and 19.70 percent per annum with corresponding time to full catch-up of 25.38 years and 26.01 years respectively. Third, we find sigma-convergence among low-income nations and upper-middle income nations separately, but not for the entire sample together. Fourth, schooling in SSA is not yet a significant source of technology, but it can make external financial inflows more effective. Policies to induce external financial flows are not enough for development if absorptive capacity is low.}, keywords = {External capital flows, Human Capital, Total Factor Productivity}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Using the two-step system general method of moments panel data analysis we first investigate the effects of external financial flows on total factor productivity and technological gain, and then use the beta catch-up and sigma convergence to compare dispersions in output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the years 1980–2010. The comparative evidence is articulated with income levels, years of schooling, and health factors. We find; first, a positive association between foreign direct investment, trade openness, foreign aid, remittances and total factor productivity. However, when foreign direct investment is interacted with schooling, its direct effect becomes negative on total factor productivity. Second, beta catch-up is between 19.22 percent and 19.70 percent per annum with corresponding time to full catch-up of 25.38 years and 26.01 years respectively. Third, we find sigma-convergence among low-income nations and upper-middle income nations separately, but not for the entire sample together. Fourth, schooling in SSA is not yet a significant source of technology, but it can make external financial inflows more effective. Policies to induce external financial flows are not enough for development if absorptive capacity is low. |
| 566. | Asongu, Jacinta Nwachukwu Simplice C A 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Quality of growth; Development; Education; Health @workingpaper{Asongu_562, author = {Jacinta Nwachukwu C Simplice A. Asongu}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Welfare-Spending-and-Quality-of-Growth.A-Note.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-12}, abstract = {The transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has shifted the policy debate from growth to ‘quality of growth’ (QG). We explore a new dataset on QG by the IMF and classify 93 developing countries for the period 1990-2011 in terms of Hopefuls, Contenders and Best Performers. The aims are as follows: (i) to depict the contradiction between high-growth and poor social welfare and (ii) to assess the influence of education and health spending on the QG. We use quantile regressions to articulate least and best QG performers. Two key findings emerge. First, 31 of the 33 countries in the Hopefuls category are in SSA. Second, the effect of health is decreasingly positive from Hopefuls to Best Performers, while the impact of education is increasingly positive. As a main policy implication, it would benefit countries in SSA to invest more in health relative to education now, but decrease such health expenditure and increase education spending as the economies in the sub-region make the transition from Hopeful to Contenders and finally to Best Performers in terms of ‘quality of growth’.}, keywords = {Quality of growth; Development; Education; Health}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } The transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has shifted the policy debate from growth to ‘quality of growth’ (QG). We explore a new dataset on QG by the IMF and classify 93 developing countries for the period 1990-2011 in terms of Hopefuls, Contenders and Best Performers. The aims are as follows: (i) to depict the contradiction between high-growth and poor social welfare and (ii) to assess the influence of education and health spending on the QG. We use quantile regressions to articulate least and best QG performers. Two key findings emerge. First, 31 of the 33 countries in the Hopefuls category are in SSA. Second, the effect of health is decreasingly positive from Hopefuls to Best Performers, while the impact of education is increasingly positive. As a main policy implication, it would benefit countries in SSA to invest more in health relative to education now, but decrease such health expenditure and increase education spending as the economies in the sub-region make the transition from Hopeful to Contenders and finally to Best Performers in terms of ‘quality of growth’. |
| 567. | Asongu, Simplice A Journal of African Development, 2016 (18), pp. 113–123, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Growth; Institutions; Development; Africa @article{Asongu_563, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, url = {http://www.jadafea.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/08_Book_Review_Asongu.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-08}, journal = {Journal of African Development}, volume = {2016}, number = {18}, pages = {113–123}, abstract = {Augustin K. Fosu, a leading and respected expert in the field of African development has edited an interesting bulk of studies in a book entitled: Growth and Institutions in African Development. The book is a timely contribution to knowledge that offers very interesting insights into views and agenda within rigorous theoretical and empirical frameworks on policy issues surrounding the relevance of growth and institutions in African development. The book’s coverage comprises of 15 chapters presented into two main subject areas, namely: growth and institutions. Each of the two subjects is further divided into two parts. On the one hand, the growth area covers: (i) growth determinants (industrial embeddedness, innovation, exchange-rate regimes and environmental quality); and (ii) sectors, dynamics and distribution of growth. On the other hand, the institutions area entails: (i) institutional development; and (ii) institutions and development outcomes. An interesting common denominator among authors of various chapters in the two subject areas is that the empirical results are succinctly summarised to enhance accessibility and readability by interested readers who might have required technical reading skills to understand the rigorous empirical analyses and resulting policy insights. Hence, it is an easy-to-read and richly policy-relevant book for both specialists and non-specialists. Moreover, the underlying ease of readership is facilitated with an introductory chapter by Augustin K. Fosu which lays out the general framework with hard but interesting stylized facts, before summarising the key motivations and contributions of various chapters with very accessible and non-technical language. This is a critical review of the book.}, keywords = {Growth; Institutions; Development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Augustin K. Fosu, a leading and respected expert in the field of African development has edited an interesting bulk of studies in a book entitled: Growth and Institutions in African Development. The book is a timely contribution to knowledge that offers very interesting insights into views and agenda within rigorous theoretical and empirical frameworks on policy issues surrounding the relevance of growth and institutions in African development. The book’s coverage comprises of 15 chapters presented into two main subject areas, namely: growth and institutions. Each of the two subjects is further divided into two parts. On the one hand, the growth area covers: (i) growth determinants (industrial embeddedness, innovation, exchange-rate regimes and environmental quality); and (ii) sectors, dynamics and distribution of growth. On the other hand, the institutions area entails: (i) institutional development; and (ii) institutions and development outcomes. An interesting common denominator among authors of various chapters in the two subject areas is that the empirical results are succinctly summarised to enhance accessibility and readability by interested readers who might have required technical reading skills to understand the rigorous empirical analyses and resulting policy insights. Hence, it is an easy-to-read and richly policy-relevant book for both specialists and non-specialists. Moreover, the underlying ease of readership is facilitated with an introductory chapter by Augustin K. Fosu which lays out the general framework with hard but interesting stylized facts, before summarising the key motivations and contributions of various chapters with very accessible and non-technical language. This is a critical review of the book. |
| 568. | Ackah, Ishmael 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Energy supply and demand, Ghana, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development Goals @workingpaper{Ackah2016, title = {Policy interventions in renewable energy for sustainable development: is Ghana on the right path to achieve SDG 7?}, author = {Ishmael Ackah}, editor = {African 2016 Governance and Development Institute WP/16/013}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Policy-interventions-in-renewable-energy-for-sustainable-development.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-01}, abstract = {Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals seeks to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services and increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. This target provides an opportunity as well as a challenge to African countries including Ghana. Indeed, the Ghana Energy Commission estimates that Ghana has about 34 potential hydro sites and enjoys about 330 days of sunshine annually. For instance, the three Northern regions, Volta and northern parts of Brong Ahafo have radiation levels with monthly average of between 4.0 and 6.5kWh/m2/day. These hydro and solar resources, coupled with abundant waste, wind potential of about 2000 MW and tidal potential can make Ghana a net exporter of power when the needed investment is provided. This paper examines the policy interventions in renewable energy in Ghana over the past 20 years. It also includes a review of the literature on the relationship between renewable energy investment and sustainable development and provides policy recommendations to fast-track renewable energy technology deployment in Ghana.}, keywords = {Energy supply and demand, Ghana, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development Goals}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals seeks to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services and increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. This target provides an opportunity as well as a challenge to African countries including Ghana. Indeed, the Ghana Energy Commission estimates that Ghana has about 34 potential hydro sites and enjoys about 330 days of sunshine annually. For instance, the three Northern regions, Volta and northern parts of Brong Ahafo have radiation levels with monthly average of between 4.0 and 6.5kWh/m2/day. These hydro and solar resources, coupled with abundant waste, wind potential of about 2000 MW and tidal potential can make Ghana a net exporter of power when the needed investment is provided. This paper examines the policy interventions in renewable energy in Ghana over the past 20 years. It also includes a review of the literature on the relationship between renewable energy investment and sustainable development and provides policy recommendations to fast-track renewable energy technology deployment in Ghana. |
| 569. | Gammoudi, Mondher Cherif & Simplice Asongu Mouna A FDI and Growth in the MENA countries: Are the GCC countries Different? 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: FDI, financial openness, GMM, Growth, Institutions @workingpaper{Gammoudi2016, title = {FDI and Growth in the MENA countries: Are the GCC countries Different?}, author = {Mondher Cherif & Simplice Asongu A Mouna Gammoudi}, editor = {African 2016 Governance and Development Institute WP/16/015}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/FDI-and-Growth-in-the-MENA-countries.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-01}, abstract = {This paper examines the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for the period 1985-2009. The empirical evidence is based on an endoeneity-robust Generalised Method of Moments. Results show that the effect of FDI on per capita income in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is positive but negative in Non-GCC countries. Results also reveal that in contrast to the GCC countries, the financial openness policy in the NonGCC countries have reduced the benefits of FDI on growth, this finding is explained by the fact that most of the Non-GCC countries that have engaged in the process of financial reforms have poor quality of institutions. These results are confirmed with both annual data and five year average data.}, keywords = {FDI, financial openness, GMM, Growth, Institutions}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } This paper examines the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for the period 1985-2009. The empirical evidence is based on an endoeneity-robust Generalised Method of Moments. Results show that the effect of FDI on per capita income in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is positive but negative in Non-GCC countries. Results also reveal that in contrast to the GCC countries, the financial openness policy in the NonGCC countries have reduced the benefits of FDI on growth, this finding is explained by the fact that most of the Non-GCC countries that have engaged in the process of financial reforms have poor quality of institutions. These results are confirmed with both annual data and five year average data. |
| 570. | Asongu, Joseph Amankwah-Amoah Simplice A Military expenditure, terrorism and capital flight: Insights from Africa 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Capital flight; military expenditure; terrorism; Africa @workingpaper{Asongu2016cb, title = {Military expenditure, terrorism and capital flight: Insights from Africa}, author = {Joseph Amankwah-Amoah Simplice A. Asongu}, editor = {African 2016 Governance and Development Institute WP/16/018}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Military-expenditure-terrorism-and-capital-flight.-Insights-from-Africa.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-01}, abstract = {In spite of the growing consensus of the need to utilise military expenditure to help combat terrorism, our understanding of the threshold at which military expenditure reduces the effect of terrorism stemming from capital flight remains largely underexplored. We employed a panel data of 37 African countries from 1996-2010 and determined that the thresholds are apparent exclusively in Quantile Regressions with military expenditure thresholds ranging from: 4.224 to 5.612 for domestic terrorism, 5.734 to 7.363 for unclear terrorism and 4.710 to 6.617 for total terrorism. No thresholds are apparent in transnational terrorism related regressions. Depending on the terrorist target, the findings broadly show that a critical mass of between 4.224 and 7.363 of military expenditure as a percentage of GDP is needed to reverse the effects of terrorism stemming from capital flight. Implications for public policy are discussed.}, keywords = {Capital flight; military expenditure; terrorism; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } In spite of the growing consensus of the need to utilise military expenditure to help combat terrorism, our understanding of the threshold at which military expenditure reduces the effect of terrorism stemming from capital flight remains largely underexplored. We employed a panel data of 37 African countries from 1996-2010 and determined that the thresholds are apparent exclusively in Quantile Regressions with military expenditure thresholds ranging from: 4.224 to 5.612 for domestic terrorism, 5.734 to 7.363 for unclear terrorism and 4.710 to 6.617 for total terrorism. No thresholds are apparent in transnational terrorism related regressions. Depending on the terrorist target, the findings broadly show that a critical mass of between 4.224 and 7.363 of military expenditure as a percentage of GDP is needed to reverse the effects of terrorism stemming from capital flight. Implications for public policy are discussed. |
