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Fiscal variables and growth convergence in the ECOWAS

Cosimo Magazzino (Department of Political Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy)

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies

ISSN: 2040-0705

Article publication date: 13 June 2016

718

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship among fiscal variables (net lending, government expenditure and revenue) and economic growth in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using yearly data for the period between 1980 and 2011 in 15 Economic Communities Of West African States (ECOWAS) countries, the relationship among fiscal variables, economic growth and trade is investigated, through various econometric techniques.

Findings

Government expenditure and revenue show pro-cyclical effects in West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and ECOWAS countries, while fiscal balance has a pro-cyclical nature for WAEMU during the years 1999-2011. Moreover, a weak long-run relationship between government expenditure and revenue emerge, but only in the case of West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) countries. Granger causality analysis showed mixed results for WAEMU countries, while for four out of six WAMZ countries (Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) the “tax-and-spend” hypothesis holds, since government revenue would drive the expenditure. Finally, in the last three decades, cyclical component of economic growth has reduced its fluctuations, both for WAEMU and WAMZ member States.

Originality/value

This is the first study on the effects of fiscal policies in the ECOWAS countries.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

JEL Classification — C33, E62, F33, O55, P52

The author is highly indebted to the editor and anonymous referees for their very useful comments. The author, however, is responsible for any remaining errors.

Citation

Magazzino, C. (2016), "Fiscal variables and growth convergence in the ECOWAS", African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 147-163. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-03-2015-0032

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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