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Trade openness and women’s empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa: the role of governance

Author

Listed:
  • Pondie, Thierry Messie
  • Wayisovia, Emmanuel Juakaly
  • Sibayirwandeke, Augustin Mumbere

Abstract

Despite numerous studies on women’s empowerment, there are still gaps regarding certain determinants in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study fills this gap by focusing on trade openness and women’s empowerment, with governance as a moderating variable. We analyse our model on a panel of 41 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2000 to 2022 using World Development Indicator. Using estimation techniques such as OLS, GLS, Lewbel 2SLS and Kinky Least Square to control for endogeneity and heterogeneity, we find a positive and significant effect of trade openness on women’s empowerment. In addition, governance positively moderates the effect of trade opening on women’s empowerment. In view of these results, it would be important for governments to involve women more in the entrepreneurial system through trade between countries in order to empower them.

Suggested Citation

  • Pondie, Thierry Messie & Wayisovia, Emmanuel Juakaly & Sibayirwandeke, Augustin Mumbere, 2025. "Trade openness and women’s empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa: the role of governance," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wodepe:v:38:y:2025:i:c:s2452292925000293
    DOI: 10.1016/j.wdp.2025.100684
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F66 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Labor
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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