Title: Military spending and corruption in the economic community of West African states

Authors: Dramane Abdoulaye

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Management, Economics and Management Research Laboratory, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin

Abstract: This article aims to analyse the relationship between military spending and corruption in the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). To this end, a VAR model was estimated on a panel of 15 countries over the period 2000-2017. The analysis established the existence of a two-way causality between corruption and military spending. The results revealed that corruption has a positive effect on military spending in ECOWAS countries and in turn military spending leads to an increase in the level of corruption. The study therefore suggests that states in the region should implement reforms in order to improve governance by increasing transparency in defence sector contracts. All this shall contribute to the efficiency of military spending necessary to ensure the security of the populations.

Keywords: military spending; corruption; ECOWAS.

DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2021.118515

African Journal of Economic and Sustainable Development, 2021 Vol.8 No.4, pp.340 - 352

Received: 08 Sep 2020
Accepted: 11 May 2021
Published online: 27 Oct 2021 *

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