Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Fanen Terdoo Author-X-Name-First: Fanen Author-X-Name-Last: Terdoo Title: Vulnerability and adaptation of rice value chains in Benue State, Nigeria Abstract: This study provides a synchronic baseline assessment of the complexities of the rice value chains (RVCs) in Benue State, Nigeria. Data sets were drawn from face-to-face (n = 72) interviews with RVCs' actors (growers, millers, and traders) in three study areas. The vulnerability scoping diagrams (VSDs) were applied to help examine the components of RVCs actors' exposure, sensitivity, and adaptation practices in detail. The results highlighted uneven vulnerabilities among the RVCs' actors based on geographical location, cropping, milling, market system, and spatio-temporal dynamics. In addition to uncovering specific interactions of the effects of vulnerability with the downstream components of the RVCs, this study found several adaptation practices that were not only characterised by trade-offs and uncertainties but resulted in maladaptation outcomes that increased vulnerability. This study emphasises the importance of taking into account the effects of multiple interactions of vulnerability with actors along the chain when developing vulnerability reduction and resilience-building strategies. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 177-200 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: multiple exposures; maladaptation; vulnerability scoping diagram; VSD; socio-ecological systems; SES; West Africa; Nigeria. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=136055 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:3:p:177-200 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mercy Femi-Olagundoye Author-X-Name-First: Mercy Author-X-Name-Last: Femi-Olagundoye Author-Name: Rufus Ishola Akintoye Author-X-Name-First: Rufus Ishola Author-X-Name-Last: Akintoye Title: The significance of refinanced letter of credit in cross-border financing in Nigeria Abstract: The volume of import, letter of credit (LC), foreign portfolio investment (FPI), and foreign direct investment (FDI) were analysed to ascertain the impact of each of the three variables on import trade. This is to appraise the significance of cross-border financing on trade in Nigeria. The study used descriptive statistics, a pair-sampled t-test and ordinary least square regression. The study showed that FDI does not have a significant impact, but FPI has a negative significant impact on import trade while trade lines using LC have impact on import trade in Nigeria. The trends revealed peaks and troughs in the volume of LC, FPI, and FDI and it was also established that over 60% of LC paid by first-tier commercial banks and merchant banks in Nigeria were settled using credit lines. The credit line from the result facilitates trade and ensures trade flow. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 201-218 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: credit line; letter of credit; import trade; foreign direct investment; FDI; foreign portfolio investment; FPI; foreign exchange; Nigeria. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=136059 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:3:p:201-218 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Stephen Friday Aleke Author-X-Name-First: Stephen Friday Author-X-Name-Last: Aleke Author-Name: Collins Okechukwu Irem Author-X-Name-First: Collins Okechukwu Author-X-Name-Last: Irem Author-Name: Chinonso John Ugwoke Author-X-Name-First: Chinonso John Author-X-Name-Last: Ugwoke Author-Name: Oketa Chiamaka Eunice Author-X-Name-First: Oketa Chiamaka Author-X-Name-Last: Eunice Title: Response of stock return volatility to money market rates in Nigeria Abstract: This study examined the effect of inter-bank rates (IBR) and prime lending rates (PLR) on stock market return volatility in Nigeria from January 2002 to December 2016. Descriptive statistics, unit root test (URT), heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation and GARCH (1.1) models were used to examine stock market returns volatility. A diagnostic test was conducted to ascertain the robustness of the estimated GARCH model. It was found that volatility clustering persists in the Nigerian stock market, suggesting that volatility shocks from the previous period will not disappear in the current period for a long time. Consequently, the government should establish a mechanism for monitoring banks' foreign exchange activities to reduce the high cost of borrowing among banks and reduce their liquidity pressures. A reduction in prime lending rates by banks to their customers/investors will encourage them to borrow more. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 219-238 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: stock returns; volatility; inter-bank rate; IBR; prime lending rate; PLR; Nigeria; all share index; ASI; unit root test; URT. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=136063 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:3:p:219-238 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ferdinand Ouedraogo Author-X-Name-First: Ferdinand Author-X-Name-Last: Ouedraogo Title: The major determinants of the intra-ECOWAS market: do ICTs contribute significantly to the growth of intra-community trade? Abstract: The objective of this study is to identify and analyse the main determinants of intra-ECOWAS trade, to verify whether investments and the rapid penetration of ICT have a positive influence on the growth of intra-ECOWAS trade. Indeed, it emerges from this study that GDP, population and investments in ICT are variables which positively influence both exports and imports. Mobile phone subscriptions and customs duties only have a positive influence on exports. The hypothesis according to which ICT would have a positive influence on the growth of intra-ECOWAS trade is well and truly confirmed. Foreign direct investments do not have a favourable impact on intra-community trade. However, we see that their growth in volume over the last two decades is becoming increasingly important for all 15 ECOWAS countries. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 239-254 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: ECOWAS bilateral trade performances; major determinants; ICT impact; gravity model analysis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=136073 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:3:p:239-254 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: James Alic Garang Author-X-Name-First: James Alic Author-X-Name-Last: Garang Title: Effects of the civil war on financial inclusion in South Sudan: theory and evidence Abstract: The paper surveys the existing literature and sheds light on ways through which the South Sudanese Civil War that stretched from 2013 through 2018 has stunted the growth of the infant financial sector, with implications on the business climate and financial inclusion. While the majority of South Sudanese people were financially excluded owing to the country's past legacies, the paper finds that the internal conflict has worsened many indicators of financial inclusion, including by necessitating closure of bank branches, placing a dent on the ATM geographic penetration, and constraining household access to credit. It concludes by outlining policy measures to advance financial inclusion. The suggested options include efforts to strengthen key economic institutions and improve regulatory and supervisory frameworks while promoting banking policies that support the usually excluded segments of the society, including small and medium-sized enterprises, women, youth, farmers, and poor households. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 255-271 Issue: 3 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: wars; financial development; financial inclusion; financial services; South Sudan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=136075 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:3:p:255-271 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alpha E. Mfilinge Author-X-Name-First: Alpha E. Author-X-Name-Last: Mfilinge Author-Name: Jumanne Moshi Abdallah Author-X-Name-First: Jumanne Moshi Author-X-Name-Last: Abdallah Title: Assessment of the business environment for the furniture industries in the Temeke, Dodoma and Handeni districts, Tanzania Abstract: In Tanzania, furniture industry is one of the important components of the manufacturing sector, and the sector is dominated by small and micro enterprises. In various places, local furniture entrepreneurs establish manufacturing and trade centres. However, the amount of furniture demanded is still higher compared to what is manufactured. The study aimed on assessing the business environment for the furniture industries, specifically supporting functions, and rules and regulations guiding the industry. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The study argue that, the industry had a deficit in training to improve skills of local furniture producers also, the industry faces the challenges such as poor infrastructures, lack financial support, lack training and compliance to rules and regulation thus reducing production efficiency. The study recommends the government to have policy which focus on product quality, financial support, and lower operational costs. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 311-328 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: Tanzania; furniture; industry; business environment; supportive function; rules; regulations; manufacturing; sector. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139150 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:4:p:311-328 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Moussa Njoupouognigni Author-X-Name-First: Moussa Author-X-Name-Last: Njoupouognigni Author-Name: Alain Latoundji Babatoundé Author-X-Name-First: Alain Latoundji Author-X-Name-Last: Babatoundé Title: Post COVID-19 achievement of SDGs in Africa: what financing levers can we use for effective implementation? Abstract: While implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) generates co-benefit and trade-off between goals, new challenges and constraints of financing are raising, especially in developing countries: deficient domestic resources and development aid, debt sustainability, attractiveness of private finance and trade restrictions, and unintended effects. Since 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak has aggravated them in many aspects. This paper explores the relative effectiveness of a range of financing levers in achieving SDGs in Africa, applying an ordered logit to the recent Africa SDG index and trend data. Given the COVID-19 outbreak, its related economic shutdown and financial commitments, we re-estimated the model and found some influence of the pandemic crisis on the performance of African countries in achieving the SDGs. We explain its slight extent by the compensating effect between economic shutdown and supporting actions. For SDGs 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11, some countries are expected to perform at a higher rate to achieve the goals while for SDGs 1, 2 and 7, they are expected to perform at a lower rate compared to the baseline. The results call for additional fiscal space and public financial support to address sufficiently old and new financing challenges in African countries. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 329-355 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: financing for development; FfD; sustainable development goals; SDGs; Africa; COVID-19. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139151 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:4:p:329-355 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Adonay Habtu Author-X-Name-First: Adonay Author-X-Name-Last: Habtu Author-Name: Tesfay Aregawi Author-X-Name-First: Tesfay Author-X-Name-Last: Aregawi Title: Poverty status and reduction strategies in Tigray Region, Ethiopia Abstract: This study was conducted mainly to determine the poverty gap, poverty severity and assess the impacts of poverty reduction policies and strategies in Tigray regional state. The survey was conducted in both urban and rural areas of the region. The analysis was based on primary household level cross sectional data collected from 2,459 randomly selected rural and urban households. The researchers have applied the propensity score matching (PSM) and Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measurement to evaluate the impact of the program and poverty, respectively. Using the CBN approach we computed a total poverty line of birr 583.3 and food poverty line birr 437.3 per month per adult equivalent. A regional level 38.1% of the households is living below the poverty line with income shortfall of 13.1 and poverty severity index of 6.8%. The researchers found that there is a higher level of poverty in the rural areas compared with the urban areas. The PSM result reveals that integrated household package program participants are found better in terms of expenditure, asset and household income. Similarly, food and non-food expenditure for MSE participants are higher and better in contrast to non-participants. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 356-390 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: Tigray; poverty; poverty severity; poverty gap; impact; poverty reduction strategies. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139152 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:4:p:356-390 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: James Daniel Chindengwike Author-X-Name-First: James Daniel Author-X-Name-Last: Chindengwike Title: Influence of inventory turnover on the profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Dar Es Salaam stock exchange, Tanzania Abstract: The study mainly focused on assessing the influence of inventory turnover on the profitability of listed manufacturing companies in DSE. The research used a longitudinal research design, utilising five years of secondary data from 2015 to 2020. Seven companies from the manufacturing sector were used in this study purposefully. The study found that inventory turnover had a significant positive influence on the profitability of listed manufacturing companies. The study recommended that DSE supervisors pay consideration to the turnover and extent of their corporations in the growing plan of the association. Besides, managers are advised to innovate efficient ways of managing inventory turnover to optimise its potential. Companies should increase control over inventory management. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 273-283 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: inventory turnover; profitability; listed manufacturing companies; DSE; Tanzania. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139153 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:4:p:273-283 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jacob Tche Author-X-Name-First: Jacob Author-X-Name-Last: Tche Title: Testing classical and neo-classical models on banks in Africa Abstract: In the present paper, we aim at filling the gap created by the few and conflicting econometric works on classical and neo-classical theoretical models on banks in Africa. Based on the case of banks and economic growth in 33 Sub-Sahara African countries for the 1990-2021 periods, we employ the Granger causality tests in heterogeneous panels developed by Juodis et al. (2021), the fixed effect ordinary least squares method, the mean group method and the generalised method of moments to conclude that, in the short and long runs, there was no evidence supporting the classical and neo-classical models on banks suggesting that banks development precedes economic growth. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 391-409 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: classical; neo-classical; banks; investment; growth; Africa. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139154 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:4:p:391-409 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Soumaïla Sawadogo Author-X-Name-First: Soumaïla Author-X-Name-Last: Sawadogo Title: Contribution of non-timber forest products to women's empowerment: evidence from South Burkina Faso Abstract: Rural women harvest non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for various reasons, but does this activity contribute to their empowerment? Using the capability approach, the current paper analyses the contribution of NTFP exploitation to women's empowerment in villages bordering the ecological Pô-Nazinga-Sissili complex in South Burkina Faso. With original data collected on 336 randomly selected households, some indices of women's empowerment in agriculture were calculated, with and without consideration of NTFP exploitation as an agricultural activity. Using the ordinary least squares technique, these indices were then regressed on the socio-economic characteristics of the selected individuals and their households. Results show that NTFP exploitation contributes to a significant increase in women's empowerment and a significant reduction in gender decision-making inequalities within households. NTFP exploitation would be an activity to be deeply considered in rural women's empowerment policies. Journal: African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development Pages: 284-310 Issue: 4 Volume: 9 Year: 2024 Keywords: capabilities approach; forest management; empowerment; gender equality; non-timber forest products; NTFP; sustainable development; women's empowerment in agriculture index; WEAI; Burkina Faso. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139155 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ajesde:v:9:y:2024:i:4:p:284-310