IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/natres/v49y2025i1p425-444.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Financial inclusion, economic growth, and environmental quality in the MENA region: What role does institution quality play?

Author

Listed:
  • Ramzi Boussaidi
  • Abdelaziz Hakimi

Abstract

This paper aims to check whether growth and the environment benefit from a more inclusive financial system. It also checks the moderating role of institutional quality (IQ) in the growth‐environment relationship. It uses a sample of 12 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries from 2004 to 2021 and performs the seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model. The findings indicate that financial inclusion (FI) significantly increases the level of CO2 emissions. Hence, a more inclusive financial system deteriorates the quality of the environment in the MENA region. However, FI does not exert any significant effect on the level of growth. Furthermore, we found that the interaction between FI and IQ increases growth and improves the quality of the environment. This interactional effect is more apparent when the dependent variable is environment quality rather than growth. The results of this paper have substantial implications. Policymakers of this region should improve their IQ to mitigate the negative effects of FI and to spur growth and preserve the environment. When FI is aligned with environmentally conscious policies and practices, it can promote economic development while also contributing to a healthier planet and a more equitable society.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramzi Boussaidi & Abdelaziz Hakimi, 2025. "Financial inclusion, economic growth, and environmental quality in the MENA region: What role does institution quality play?," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 49(1), pages 425-444, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:49:y:2025:i:1:p:425-444
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.12406
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12406
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/1477-8947.12406?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Loayza, Norman V. & Ranciere, Romain, 2006. "Financial Development, Financial Fragility, and Growth," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 38(4), pages 1051-1076, June.
    2. Yin, Qingwei, 2023. "Nexus among financial development and equity market on green economic finance: Fresh insights from European Union," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    3. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Shahzad, Syed Jawad Hussain & Ahmad, Nawaz & Alam, Shaista, 2016. "Financial development and environmental quality: The way forward," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 353-364.
    4. Ongo Nkoa, Bruno Emmanuel & Song, Jacques Simon, 2020. "Does institutional quality affect financial inclusion in Africa? A panel data analysis," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 44(4).
    5. Jeffrey D. Sachs & Andrew M. Warner, 1995. "Natural Resource Abundance and Economic Growth," NBER Working Papers 5398, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Dal Bo, Ernesto & Rossi, Martin A., 2007. "Corruption and inefficiency: Theory and evidence from electric utilities," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(5-6), pages 939-962, June.
    7. Ross Levine & Norman Loayza & Thorsten Beck, 2002. "Financial Intermediation and Growth: Causality and Causes," Central Banking, Analysis, and Economic Policies Book Series, in: Leonardo Hernández & Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel & Norman Loayza (Series Editor) & Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel (Se (ed.),Banking, Financial Integration, and International Crises, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 2, pages 031-084, Central Bank of Chile.
    8. Helmi Hamdi, Abdelaziz Hakimi, and Rashid Sbia, 2017. "Finance and Growth Nexus: What Role for Institutions in Developed and Developing Countries?," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 42(4), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Emara, Noha & El Said, Ayah, 2021. "Financial inclusion and economic growth: The role of governance in selected MENA countries," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 34-54.
    10. Jaeoh Kim & HyungJun Cho, 2019. "Seemingly unrelated regression tree," Journal of Applied Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(7), pages 1177-1195, May.
    11. Olaniyi Evans & Olaniyi Lawanson, 2017. "A Multi-Sectoral Study of Financial Inclusion and Economic Output in Nigeria," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(1), pages 195-204, June.
    12. Luo, Jing & Ali, Syed Ahtsham & Aziz, Babar & Aljarba, Ahmed & Akeel, Hatem & Hanif, Imran, 2023. "Impact of natural resource rents and economic growth on environmental degradation in the context of COP-26: Evidence from low-income, middle-income, and high-income Asian countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    13. Menyah, Kojo & Wolde-Rufael, Yemane, 2010. "Energy consumption, pollutant emissions and economic growth in South Africa," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 1374-1382, November.
    14. Dorota Wawrzyniak & Wirginia Doryń, 2020. "Does the quality of institutions modify the economic growth-carbon dioxide emissions nexus? Evidence from a group of emerging and developing countries," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 124-144, January.
    15. Fareed, Zeeshan & Rehman, Mubeen Abdur & Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Wang, Yihan & Ahmad, Munir & Shahzad, Farrukh, 2022. "Financial inclusion and the environmental deterioration in Eurozone: The moderating role of innovation activity," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    16. Osei, Michael J. & Kim, Jaebeom, 2020. "Foreign direct investment and economic growth: Is more financial development better?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 154-161.
    17. Le, Thai-Ha & Le, Ha-Chi & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad, 2020. "Does financial inclusion impact CO2 emissions? Evidence from Asia," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 34(C).
    18. Helmi Hamdi & Rashid Sbia & Hakimi Abdelaziz & Wafa Khlaifia hakimi, 2013. "Multivariate Granger causality between foreign direct investment and economic growth in Tunisia," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 33(2), pages 1193-1203.
    19. Zeqiraj, Veton & Sohag, Kazi & Hammoudeh, Shawkat, 2022. "Financial inclusion in developing countries: Do quality institutions matter?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    20. Kebede, Jeleta & Selvanathan, Saroja & Naranpanawa, Athula, 2021. "Foreign bank presence, institutional quality, and financial inclusion: Evidence from Africa," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    21. Liu, Yiming & Hao, Yu & Gao, Yixuan, 2017. "The environmental consequences of domestic and foreign investment: Evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 271-280.
    22. José Laurindo de Almeida & Helder Ferreira de Mendonça, 2019. "The effect of infrastructure and taxation on economic growth: new empirical assessment," Journal of Economic Studies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 46(5), pages 1065-1082, August.
    23. Hanif, Imran & Aziz, Babar & Chaudhry, Imran Sharif, 2019. "Carbon emissions across the spectrum of renewable and nonrenewable energy use in developing economies of Asia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 586-595.
    24. Abdelaziz, HAKIMI & Rim, BOUSSAADA & Majdi, KARMANI, 2019. "External Debt, Investment, and Economic Growth: A Seemingly Unrelated Regression Model for Low-Income Countries," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 34(4), pages 725-745.
    25. Ogechi Adeola & Olaniyi Evans, 2017. "Financial inclusion, financial development, and economic diversification in Nigeria," Journal of Developing Areas, Tennessee State University, College of Business, vol. 51(3), pages 1-15, July-Sept.
    26. Naranpanawa, Athula & Bandara, Jayatilleke S. & Selvanathan, Saroja, 2011. "Trade and poverty nexus: A case study of Sri Lanka," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 328-346, March.
    27. Na Xin & Zhuoting Xie, 2023. "Financial inclusion and trade adjusted carbon emissions: Evaluating the role of environment related taxes employing non‐parametric panel methods," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(1), pages 78-90, February.
    28. Kofi Adom, Philip & Bekoe, William & Amuakwa-Mensah, Franklin & Mensah, Justice Tei & Botchway, Ebo, 2012. "Carbon dioxide emissions, economic growth, industrial structure, and technical efficiency: Empirical evidence from Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco on the causal dynamics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 314-325.
    29. Menyah, Kojo & Nazlioglu, Saban & Wolde-Rufael, Yemane, 2014. "Financial development, trade openness and economic growth in African countries: New insights from a panel causality approach," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 386-394.
    30. Yuan, Huaxi & Zou, Longhui & Feng, Yidai, 2023. "How to achieve emission reduction without hindering economic growth? The role of judicial quality," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    31. Liu, Yang & Luan, Lin & Wu, Weilong & Zhang, Zhiqiang & Hsu, Yen, 2021. "Can digital financial inclusion promote China's economic growth?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    32. Renzhi, Nuobu & Baek, Yong Jun, 2020. "Can financial inclusion be an effective mitigation measure? evidence from panel data analysis of the environmental Kuznets curve," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    33. Xu, Baochang & Li, Sihui & Afzal, Ayesha & Mirza, Nawazish & Zhang, Meng, 2022. "The impact of financial development on environmental sustainability: A European perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    34. Loan Thi-Hong Van & Anh The Vo & Nhan Thien Nguyen & Duc Hong Vo, 2021. "Financial Inclusion and Economic GROWTH: An International Evidence," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(1), pages 239-263, January.
    35. Abdelaziz Hakimi & Rim Boussaada & Majdi Karmani, 2022. "Are financial inclusion and bank stability friends or enemies? Evidence from MENA banks," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(21), pages 2473-2489, May.
    36. Liu, Meihan & Baisheng, Shi & Alharthi, Majed & Hassan, Muhammad Shahid & Hanif, Imran, 2023. "The role of natural resources, clean energy and technology in mitigating carbon emissions in top populated countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    37. Lin, Ping & Saggi, Kamal, 2007. "Multinational firms, exclusivity, and backward linkages," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 206-220, March.
    38. Acheampong, Alex O., 2018. "Economic growth, CO2 emissions and energy consumption: What causes what and where?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 677-692.
    39. Arminen, Heli & Menegaki, Angeliki N., 2019. "Corruption, climate and the energy-environment-growth nexus," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 621-634.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shnehal Soni & R. L. Manogna, 2025. "Does natural resource rent and financial inclusion curb carbon emissions? Empirical evidence from E7 and G7 economies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Anu, & Singh, Amit Kumar & Raza, Syed Ali & Nakonieczny, Joanna & Shahzad, Umer, 2023. "Role of financial inclusion, green innovation, and energy efficiency for environmental performance? Evidence from developed and emerging economies in the lens of sustainable development," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 213-224.
    3. Barut, Abdulkadir & Kaya, Emine & Bekun, Festus Victor & Cengiz, Sevgi, 2023. "Environmental sustainability amidst financial inclusion in five fragile economies: Evidence from lens of environmental Kuznets curve," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    4. Acheampong, Alex O. & Said, Rabie, 2024. "Financial inclusion and the global net-zero emissions agenda: Does governance quality matter?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    5. Su-Yin Cheng & Chih-Ping Yu & Han Hou, 2025. "Investigating the role of financial development in mitigating carbon emissions across diverse financial economies," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 1-31, February.
    6. Dong, Jiajia & Dou, Yue & Jiang, Qingzhe & Zhao, Jun, 2022. "Can financial inclusion facilitate carbon neutrality in China? The role of energy efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    7. Frank Antwi & Yusheng Kong & Mary Donkor, 2024. "Greening African economies: Investigating the role of financial development, green investments, and institutional quality," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 5659-5676, October.
    8. Clement Olalekan Olaniyi, 2022. "On the transmission mechanisms in the finance–growth nexus in Southern African countries: Does institution matter?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 153-191, February.
    9. Wang, Xiong & Wang, Xiao & Ren, Xiaohang & Wen, Fenghua, 2022. "Can digital financial inclusion affect CO2 emissions of China at the prefecture level? Evidence from a spatial econometric approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    10. Guan, Lu & Zhao, Chang, 2024. "Exploring the dual role of financial inclusion and mineral resources in elevating sustainable development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    11. repec:rfh:jprjor:v:8:y:2022:i:3:p:81-97 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Hakimi, Abdelaziz & Hamdi, Helmi, 2016. "Trade liberalization, FDI inflows, environmental quality and economic growth: A comparative analysis between Tunisia and Morocco," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1445-1456.
    13. Hasanov, Fakhri J. & Aliyev, Ruslan & Taskin, Dilvin & Suleymanov, Elchin, 2023. "Oil rents and non-oil economic growth in CIS oil exporters. The role of financial development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    14. Xiaojie Yu & Duminda Kuruppuarachchi & Sriyalatha Kumarasinghe, 2024. "Financial development, FDI, and CO2 emissions: does carbon pricing matter?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(25), pages 2959-2974, May.
    15. Kais Mtar & Walid Belazreg, 2023. "On the nexus of innovation, trade openness, financial development and economic growth in European countries: New perspective from a GMM panel VAR approach," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 766-791, January.
    16. Franklin Allen & Elena Carletti & Robert Cull & Jun Qian & Lemma Senbet & Patricio Valenzuela, 2014. "Resolving the African Financial Development Gap: Cross-Country Comparisons and a Within-Country Study of Kenya," NBER Chapters, in: African Successes, Volume III: Modernization and Development, pages 13-62, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    17. Alex O. Acheampong, 2022. "The impact of de facto globalization on carbon emissions: Evidence from Ghana," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 170, pages 156-173.
    18. Musarat Abbas & Ling Yang & Michael L. Lahr, 2024. "Globalization’s effects on South Asia’s carbon emissions, 1996–2019: a multidimensional panel data perspective via FGLS," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, December.
    19. Bilgehan Tekin, 2024. "The catalyzing role of financial inclusion in decoding environmental challenges and fostering a sustainable future in BRICS‐T," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(3), pages 1572-1603, November.
    20. Mohsin Shabir, 2024. "Does Financial Inclusion Promote Environmental Sustainability: Analyzing the Role of Technological Innovation and Economic Globalization," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 19-46, March.
    21. Murshed, Muntasir & Ahmed, Rizwan & Al-Tal, Raad Mahmoud & Kumpamool, Chamaiporn & Vetchagool, Witchulada & Avarado, Rafael, 2023. "Determinants of financial inclusion in South Asia: The moderating and mediating roles of internal conflict settlement," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:49:y:2025:i:1:p:425-444. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://doi.org/10.1111/(ISSN)1477-8947 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.