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Information Asymmetry and Financial Development Dynamics in Africa

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  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (Yaoundé/Cameroon)

  • Jacinta C. Nwachukwu

    (Coventry University, UK)

  • Vanessa S. Tchamyou

    (Yaoundé, Cameroon)

Abstract

We examine policy thresholds of information sharing for financial development in 53 African countries for the period 2004-2011. Public credit registries (PCR) and private credit bureaus (PCB) are used as proxies for reducing information asymmetry whereas financial development includes all financial dimensions identified by the Financial Development and Structure Database (FDSD) of the World Bank, namely: depth, efficiency, activity and size. The empirical evidence is based on interactive Generalised Methods of Moments with forward orthogonal deviations. The following findings are established. First, PCR and PCB have negative effects on financial depth, with the magnitude of the former higher. Second, contrary to PCR which have insignificant effects, PCB has a negative impact on banking system efficiency. Third, PCR and PCB have negative impacts on financial activity, with the magnitude of the latter higher. Moreover, their marginal effects are negative. Fourth, PCR and PCB have positive effects on financial size, with the effect of the former higher. While marginal effects are positive, corresponding thresholds are not within range. Policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Simplice A. Asongu & Jacinta C. Nwachukwu & Vanessa S. Tchamyou, 2015. "Information Asymmetry and Financial Development Dynamics in Africa," Research Africa Network Working Papers 15/025, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    • Handle: RePEc:abh:wpaper:15/025
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    Cited by:

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    3. Asongu, Simplice A. & Moulin, Bertrand, 2016. "The role of ICT in reducing information asymmetry for financial access," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 202-213.
    4. Simplice A. Asongu & Jacinta C. Nwachukwu, 2017. "Mobile Phone Innovation and Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa," Research Africa Network Working Papers 17/025, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    5. Simplice A. Asongu & John C. Anyanwu & Vanessa S. Tchamyou, 2019. "Technology-driven information sharing and conditional financial development in Africa," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 630-659, October.
    6. Asongu, Simplice A. & Le Roux, Sara & Biekpe, Nicholas, 2018. "Enhancing ICT for environmental sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 209-216.
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    8. Amavilah, Voxi & Asongu, Simplice A. & Andrés, Antonio R., 2017. "Effects of globalization on peace and stability: Implications for governance and the knowledge economy of African countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 91-103.
    9. Asongu, Simplice A., 2017. "The effect of reducing information asymmetry on loan price and quantity in the African banking industry," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 185-197.
    10. Simplice A. Asongu & Jacinta C. Nwachukwu, 2019. "ICT, Financial Sector Development and Financial Access," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 10(2), pages 465-490, June.
    11. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2018. "Information asymmetry, financialization, and financial access," International Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 297-315, December.
    12. Tchamyou, Vanessa S. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2017. "Conditional market timing in the mutual fund industry," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1355-1366.
    13. Simplice A. Asongu & Jacinta C. Nwachukwu, 2017. "Building Knowledge Economies in Africa: A Survey of Policies and Strategies," Research Africa Network Working Papers 17/021, Research Africa Network (RAN).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information Asymmetry; Financial Development;

    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G29 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Other
    • 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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