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Financial Inclusion, Income Inequality and Sustainable Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Chima M. Menyelim

    (Department of Banking and Finance, College of Management and Social Sciences, Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria)

  • Abiola A. Babajide

    (Department of Banking and Finance, College of Management and Social Sciences, Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria)

  • Alexander E. Omankhanlen

    (Department of Banking and Finance, College of Management and Social Sciences, Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria)

  • Benjamin I. Ehikioya

    (Department of Banking and Finance, College of Management and Social Sciences, Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria)

Abstract

This study evaluates the relevance of inclusive financial access in moderating the effect of income inequality on economic growth in 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the period 1995 to 2017. The findings using the Generalised Method of Moments (sys-GMM) technique show that inclusive financial access contributes to reducing inequality in the short run, contrary to the Kuznets curve. The result reveals a negative effect of financial access on the relationship between income inequality and economic growth. There is a positive net effect of inclusive financial access in moderating the impact of income inequality on economic growth. Given the need to achieve the Sustainable Development Targets in the sub-region, policymakers and other stakeholders of the economy must design policies and programmes that would enhance access to financial services as an essential mechanism to reduce income disparity and enhance sustainable economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Chima M. Menyelim & Abiola A. Babajide & Alexander E. Omankhanlen & Benjamin I. Ehikioya, 2021. "Financial Inclusion, Income Inequality and Sustainable Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1780-:d:494941
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Menyelim M. Chima & Abiola Ayopo Babajide & Alex Adegboye & Segun Kehinde & Oluwatobi Fasheyitan, 2021. "The Relevance of Financial Inclusion on Sustainable Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Nations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Samuel Felix Okereke & Richard Kyarem & Martins Iyoboyi, 2023. "Access to Finance and Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(7), pages 1222-1233, July.
    3. Victoria I. Okafor & Isaiah O. Olurinola & Ebenezer Bowale & Romanus Osabohien, 2023. "Financial development and income inequality in Africa," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Amirreza Kazemikhasragh & Marianna Vanessa Buoni Pineda, 2022. "Financial inclusion and education: An empirical study of financial inclusion in the face of the pandemic emergency due to Covid‐19 in Latin America and the Caribbean," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 1785-1797, August.
    5. Zhao, Congyu & Jia, Rongwen & Dong, Kangyin, 2023. "Does financial inclusion achieve the dual dividends of narrowing carbon inequality within cities and between cities? Empirical evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    6. Samuel Orekoya & Oluwatoyin Akintunde, 2023. "Financial Inclusion as a Panacea for Income Inequality in Nigeria," The Review of Finance and Banking, Academia de Studii Economice din Bucuresti, Romania / Facultatea de Finante, Asigurari, Banci si Burse de Valori / Catedra de Finante, vol. 15(2), pages 169-180, December.
    7. Sheng Xu & Michael Asiedu & Nana Adwoa Anokye Effah, 2023. "Inclusive Finance, Gender Inequality, and Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(4), pages 4866-4902, December.

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