African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Public spending efficiency on human capital and income inequality in selected African countries  
  by Isaiah Sikayena, Kwadwo Ankomah, Georgina Katakity, Frank Gyimah Sackey 
  Abstract: This study examines the relationship between the efficiency of public spending on human capital, specifically education and health and income inequality in Selected African Countries, using system GMM with robust standard errors over the period 20062017. The findings reveal that efficient public spending on health reduces income inequality, while efficient spending on education initially increases inequality, forming an n-shaped relationship. However, after a certain threshold, further improvements in education spending efficiency help reduce inequality. Based on these findings, the study recommends that African governments, along with ministries of health and education, prioritise maintaining high efficiency in public spending to effectively address income inequality and foster equitable development across the continent.
  Keywords: income inequality; efficiency of public spending; human capital; health; education.
  DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2025.10070761
   
  
• Micro and small enterprises and their role in local economic development: the case of Adama City, Ethiopia  
  by Deferew Kebebe Tessema 
  Abstract: This study examines the role of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in local economic development (LED) in Adama City, focusing on employment creation, capital mobilisation, poverty reduction, and local government revenue generation. Based on data from 89 MSEs in metal, woodwork, and agro-processing sectors, the findings show that MSEs significantly contribute to job creation, capital growth, and improved living standard of owners and employees. However, gaps were observed in generating sufficient revenue for the city government. The study also attests that the potential contribution of the sectors to LED was challenged mainly due to the institutional capacity constraints, lack of adequate work experience, insufficient working capital, lack of working premises, and poor management and technical skills of owners and employees. Thus, the study highlights the need for all-rounded efforts (both from the sector themselves and concerned stakeholders including city government) to maximise the potential contribution of the sector towards LED.
  Keywords: micro and small enterprises; MSEs; local economic development; LED; Adama City; Ethiopia.
  DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2025.10073037
   
  
• How has government interventions affected income inequality and poverty in Ghana?  
  by Daniel Abayaakadina Atuilik 
  Abstract: Poverty and income inequality have the capacity to undermine social welfare initiatives and undermine earlier growth. Therefore, policy changes are required to lessen or eliminate these issues. Moreso, Ghana has implemented series of interventions without any empirical examination. The study therefore aims to examine how the government interventions affect income inequality and poverty in Ghana. Using both primary and secondary annual data (ranging from 1987 to 2019), the study applies the logistic regressions and machine learning approach. The main findings from the survey results showed that except for education policies, policies such as agricultural, transport, health and social protection can have either positive or negative impact on poverty depending on the kind of policy and implementation. The main findings from the machine learning approach (secondary data) indicate that agricultural, educational and health policies widen the income inequality whilst transport and social protection policies reduces the income inequality gap in Ghana.
  Keywords: income inequality; poverty; government interventions; machine learning; Ghana.
  DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2025.10073367
   
  
• Factors influencing womens participation in savings groups in the peri-urban area of Gatumba in Burundi  
  by Arcade Ndoricimpa, Michel Armel Ndayikeza, Esther Leah Achandi, Jean Claude Nyamweru, Charles Kabwigiri 
  Abstract: Savings groups are a pathway to women’s financial inclusion, which is still very low in Burundi. Savings groups enhance women’s empowerment through enabling their participation in income- generating and other entrepreneurial activities. This study examines the factors affecting women’s participation in savings groups in the peri-urban area of Gatumba in Burundi. The study uses survey collected data on 441 women. A binary Logit model for women’s participation in savings and credit groups is specified. The results indicate that individual and community characteristics such as age, education, occupation, distance to the nearest bank, presence of a loan shark, and presence of a cooperative, are the main determinants of women’s participation in savings groups. The findings from this study may help policymakers to promote women’s participation in savings groups in Burundi.
  Keywords: savings groups; women; Gatumba; Burundi.
  DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2025.10073429