Financial Development and Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Selected African Countries

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between financial development, economic growth and poverty reduction in nine African countries for the period 1970-2013. It uses the ARDL bounds testing approach. The results show evidence of long-run relationship among the variables in height countries with GDP and financial deepening having a positive effect on poverty reduction in five countries (Benin, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon and South Africa), and poverty reduction having a positive effect on economic growth in three countries (Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal). The study also reveals bidirectional long-run causality between economic growth and poverty reduction in Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon and South Africa, and bidirectional long-run causality between finance and poverty reduction in Benin, Cameroon and South Africa. These findings suggest that policies aimed at increasing economic growth and improving access to credit would reduce poverty but also that measures of poverty reduction would lead to economic growth and financial deepening in these countries.