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ICT in Reducing Information Asymmetry for Financial Sector Competition

Author

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  • Simplice Asongu

    (Yaoundé/Cameroun)

  • Joseph Nnanna

    (DBN, Abuja, Nigeria)

Abstract

In this study, we examine the role of information and communication technology in complementing information sharing bureaus (or private credit bureaus and public credit registries) for financial sector competition. Hitherto unexplored dimensions of financial sector competition are employed, namely: financial sector dynamics of formalization, informalization and non-formalization. The empirical evidence is based on 53 African countries for the period 2004-2011 and the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) with forward orthogonal deviations. The findings differ across financial sectors in terms of marginal, net and threshold effects. By introducing the concept of financialization, the study unites two streams of research by: improving the macroeconomic literature on measuring financial development and responding to an evolving field of development literature by means of informal finance. Moreover, a practical method by which to disentangle the effects of reducing information asymmetry on various financial sectors is suggested. Policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Simplice Asongu & Joseph Nnanna, 2018. "ICT in Reducing Information Asymmetry for Financial Sector Competition," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 18/035, African Governance and Development Institute..
    • Handle: RePEc:agd:wpaper:18/035
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    Cited by:

    1. Simplice A. Asongu, 2020. "Financial Access and Productivity Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(12), pages 1029-1041, September.
    2. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2020. "Building Knowledge-Based Economies in Africa: A Systematic Review of Policies and Strategies," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 11(4), pages 1538-1555, December.
    3. Asongu, Simplice & Nnanna, Joseph & Acha-Anyi, Paul, 2020. "Inclusive Education for Inclusive Economic Participation: the Financial Access Channel," MPRA Paper 103151, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2020. "The Mobile Phone, Information Sharing, and Financial Sector Development in Africa: a Quantile Regression Approach," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 11(3), pages 1234-1269, September.
    5. Simplice Asongu & Rexon Nting & Joseph Nnanna, 2020. "Market power and cost efficiency in the African banking industry," Journal of Economic Studies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 47(6), pages 1247-1264, May.
    6. Asongu, Simplice A. & Odhiambo, Nicholas M., 2021. "Inequality, finance and renewable energy consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(P1), pages 678-688.
    7. Asongu, Simplice A. & Nnanna, Joseph & Acha-Anyi, Paul N., 2020. "Finance, inequality and inclusive education in Sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 162-177.
    8. Asongu, Simplice A. & Nnanna, Joseph & Acha-Anyi, Paul N., 2020. "Inequality and gender economic inclusion: The moderating role of financial access in Sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 173-185.
    9. Kusi, Baah Aye & Agbloyor, Elikplimi Komla & Gyeke-Dako, Agyapomaa & Asongu, Simplice Anutechia, 2020. "Financial Sector transparency and net interest margins: Should the private or public Sector lead financial Sector transparency?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information sharing; Banking competition; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G29 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Other
    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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