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Information asymmetry and financial dollarization in sub-Saharan Africa

Author

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  • Simplice Asongu
  • Ibrahim Raheem
  • Venessa Tchamyou

Abstract

Purpose - Financial dollarisation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is most persistent compared to other regions of the world. The purpose of this paper is to complement the existing scant literature on dollarisation in Africa by assessing the role of information sharing offices (public credit registries and private credit bureaus) on financial dollarisation in 25 SSA countries for the period 2001-2012. Design/methodology/approach - The empirical evidence is based on ordinary least squares and generalised method of moments (GMM). Findings - The findings show that information sharing offices (which are designed to reduce information asymmetry) in the banking industry are a deterrent to dollarisation. The underpinning assumption that financial development reduces financial dollarisation is confirmed. Originality/value - There is scant literature on the relevance of information sharing offices in development outcomes in Africa. While the establishment of these offices in most countries in the continent began in 2004, scholarship on the importance of these offices in financial development is sparse.

Suggested Citation

  • Simplice Asongu & Ibrahim Raheem & Venessa Tchamyou, 2018. "Information asymmetry and financial dollarization in sub-Saharan Africa," African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 9(2), pages 231-249, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ajemsp:ajems-11-2017-0291
    DOI: 10.1108/AJEMS-11-2017-0291
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    Cited by:

    1. Ibrahim D. Raheem, 2018. "Inflation rate of 14–16% is fair for the sub-Saharan African dollarization," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 42(4), pages 779-794, October.
    2. Ajide, Kazeem B. & Raheem, Ibrahim D. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2019. "Dollarization and the “unbundling” of globalization in sub-Saharan Africa," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 398-409.
    3. Atenga, Eric Martial Etoundi & Mougoué, Mbodja, 2021. "Return and volatility spillovers to African currencies markets," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    4. Kazeem B. Ajide & Ibrahim D. Raheem & Simplice A. Asongu, 2018. "Dollarization and the “Unbundling†of Globalization in sub-Saharan Africa," AFEA Working Papers 18/029, African Finance and Economic Association (AFEA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Africa; Openness; Information asymmetry; Dollarization; E31; E41; G20; O16; O55;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E41 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Demand for Money
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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