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The Effects of Economic and Financial Development on Financial Inclusion in Africa
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This study provides empirical evidence on the effects of economic and financial development on financial inclusion in Africa, using panel FMOLS for the 2005-2014 period. The study shows that economic growth has a significant positive impact on financial inclusion, meaning that African countries with higher economic growth have more inclusive financial systems. GDP per capita has a significant positive impact on financial inclusion. That is, income is an important factor in explaining the level of financial inclusion in Africa. It is, as well, established in this study, that although both economic and financial development promote financial inclusion, though the effects of economic development are much stronger. Also, inflation is negatively linked to financial inclusion, and as well insignificant across all specifications. Deposit interest rate is positively linked to financial inclusion, though insignificant. The low deposit interest rates in African countries do not encourage inclusive financial systems. Population, though positive, is insignificant. Internet has positive significant impact on financial inclusion, meaning that internet access is indispensable in a fast-moving and digital African economy. Literacy is also statistically significant, meaning that adult literacy is an important factor in explaining the level of financial inclusion in Africa. As well, Islamic banking presence and activity are associated with higher financial inclusion.
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“Scholars in support of the 'demand-following' hypothesis or the growth-led finance uphold that a positive relationship exists between economic growth and financial inclusion (Evans 2015).”
From Financial inclusion, bank competition and economic growth in Africa (2021) · cites this paper as Evans 2015
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Metadata
- Authors
- Evans, O.
- Corresponding author
- Evans, Olaniyi
- ORCID
- Evans, Olaniyi
- Venue
- Review of Economics and Development Studies
- Published
- 2015-06-30
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 21-32
- ISSN
- 2519-9692 (ISSN-L)
- 2519-9706
- OpenAlex
- W2755815515
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 0.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Review of Economics and Development Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Munich Personal RePEc Archive (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Microfinance and Financial Inclusion
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Economic Growth and Development
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › FinTech, Crowdfunding, Digital Finance
- Keywords
- financial inclusion, economic development, financial development, economic growth, GDP per capita, inflation, deposit interest rates, internet access, adult literacy, Islamic banking, Africa
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