Financial structure and economic efficiency in Sub-Saharan Africa

The efficiency of financial systems in fostering economic growth remains a critical concern, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where financial markets and institutions exhibit structural weaknesses. Existing literature predominantly focuses on the dichotomy between bank-based and market-based financial systems, overlooking the relative contributions of different financial institutions. Using data from 22 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2006 to 2017, we examine the role of banks, stock markets, microfinance, credit unions and credit cooperatives, other deposit takers, and non-resident banks in enhancing economic efficiency. Employing the generalized method of moments, we find that deposit-taking institutions exert the most substantial impact, while investments in stock markets are twice as effective as bank loans in driving economic performance. Additionally, our results indicate that banking activities complement both stock markets and deposit-taking institutions, but we observe no significant relationship between stock markets and deposit takers. These findings challenge the conventional wisdom that distinguishes between market-based and bank-based financial systems as primary factors for economic growth. Instead, we argue that the composition and interaction of institutions within the financial system are more critical for fostering economic efficiency. This study provides valuable implications for policymakers and financial practitioners, emphasizing the need to focus on institutional dynamics rather than merely the structural type of financial system. By enhancing our understanding of these relationships, our findings contribute to the broader debate of financial development and economic performance in emerging markets.