4. Theses and Dissertations:

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ACCESS TO FINANCE AND FINANCING PATTERNS OF FIRMS IN GHANA
(University of Ghana, Legon, 2011-06-22) AMAKYE, KWAKU
Access to external sources of financing for firms has been and continues to be an obstacle to the operations and growth of firms. Firms have used diverse means to finance their operations, especially internally generated funds. The purpose of the study was to investigate the determinants of the key external sources of financing working capital and new fixed investments by firms in Ghana. The main source of data for this study is the World Bank Enterprise Survey on Ghana; a firm level survey conducted in the year 2007. The Tobit estimation technique was used to investigate the determinants of the external sources of financing whiles analysis of variance was used to determine the variability in sources of finance according to firm size. The results of the study show that access to finance is perceived by firms as the second most serious obstacle to their operations. Secondly firms tend to rely more on internal sources of financing than external sources of financing. In the use of external sources of financing working capital, trade credit is more important than bank financing. However, firms finance a higher proportion of their new fixed investments from banks as compared to other sources of financing. The factors which influence the use of external sources of financing are firm size, audited financial statements, sector, educational level of the manager, ownership and location. The study recommends that firms, especially small firms, keep quality financial information on their operations. As firms put in place measures to improve on the needed financial information to external finance providers, financial intermediaries should also be encouraged to introduce more relationship lending products, if they are to meet the financing needs of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Agroecological location of farms and choice of drought coping strategies of smallholder farmers in Swaziland
(African Economic Research Consortium, 2023) Khumalo, Temndeni Amnestantia
This study uses data from Swaziland to test whether variations in local agro-ecological regions levels of drought susceptibility and other socioeconomic factors significantly determine farmer selected drought coping and adaptation strategies. This was in response to the policy need to understand how livelihoods of poor, rural, smallholder farming communities can be made more resilient in the face of recurrent droughts. Swaziland’s agro ecological regions were divided into those that were highly susceptible (Lubombo and Lowveld) and those that were relatively less susceptible (Highveld and Middleveld) to drought. Using structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, the study compared 115 randomly selected farmers from the former and 50 farmers from the latter region based on the following household level indicators: behavioural responses to perceived long-term changes in temperature and precipitation; the impact and behavioural responses to the most recent drought event; how farmers would have responded if they had ex ante information on the most recent drought event; ex ante private investment in anticipation of future drought events; and finally farmer preferences for ex ante public investments in anticipation of future drought events.
ANALYSE DE L’ACTIVITE DE TAXI-MOTO AU BENIN
(Université de Yaoundé II, 2017-04-22) DJOSSOU, Gbetoton Nadège Adèle
Au Bénin, le transport des personnes est principalement assuré par les taxis-motos. De ce fait, l’activité de conducteur de taxi-moto offre chaque année des opportunités d’emploi à des milliers d’individus. Mais, l’exercice de cette activité est associé à de nombreux risques d’accident. L’objet de la présente thèse est d’analyser l’activité de conducteur de taxi-moto à Cotonou (Bénin) à travers (i) les déterminants de son choix, (ii) les risques d’accident qui y sont associés et (iii) la demande d’assurance des conducteurs de taxi-moto contre ces risques. Nous avons modélisé la décision de choix de l’activité de taxi-moto à partir d’un graphe qui met en relation les revenus issus de l’activité de taxi-moto, les niveaux d’éducation des conducteurs de taxi-moto ainsi que leur degré d’aversion au risque. Il en ressort qu’en général ceux qui choisissent l’activité ont de faibles niveaux d’éducation et de compétence et ont le goût du risque. Nous avons ensuite montré à partir d’un modèle hédonique, que les revenus issus de l’activité (en moyenne 5.144 FCFA par jour) sont insuffisants pour couvrir les risques y afférents. Cependant, pour ne pas rester au chômage, les individus choisissent de l’exercer en dépit de ces risques. Pour finir nous avons évalué à partir d’une enquête contingente auprès d’un échantillon de 431 conducteurs de taxi-moto, leur Consentement à Payer (CAP) pour s’assurer contre les risques d’accident auxquels ils font face dans l’exercice de leur profession. L’estimateur de Turnbull nous a permis d’estimer le CAP moyen à environ 1.600FCFA par mois pour les questions à simple choix dichotomique et à environ 2.000FCFA par mois pour les questions à double choix dichotomique. Plus la perception des risques d’accident par un conducteur de taxi-moto est élevée et plus grande est son CAP pour s’assurer. L’assurance étant une forme d’épargne, il est plus facile pour ceux qui ont des habitudes d’épargne de s’assurer.
ANALYSING THE EFFECT OF BUDGET DEFICIT DYNAMICS ON MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES IN NAMIBIA
(University of Namibia, 2021-10-08) HANGO, ANNA LIISA
This study analysed the effect of budget deficit dynamics on economic growth (gross domestic product), unemployment and interest rate in Namibia. The study employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) and Bounds test for the cointegration approach using time series annual data for the period 1990 – 2018. The cointegration results confirm the presence of a long run relationship among variables in all models. In order to capture the short run effects of the budget deficit, the study employed the error correction model (ECM) and decisions were made based on a five percent level of significance. Focusing on the core explanatory variable which is budget deficit, the empirical results discovered a negative and significant relationship between budget deficit and economic growth both in the short and long run period, implying that high deficit deteriorates the growth rate of the economy. Moreover, the results show a direct but insignificant relationship between deficit and unemployment rate in short and long run period in Namibia. In addition, budget deficits show a negative but insignificant relationship towards real interest rate in both the short and long run period. As a result, the study resolved that the Neoclassical theory holds in Namibia. Consequently, in order to contain this adverse effect, the government should ensure that the exacerbated level of budget deficit is addressed.
ANALYSING THE EFFECTS OF INTEREST RATE AND RESERVE REQUIREMENT RATIO ON BANK CREDIT RISK IN NAMIBIA
(UNVERSITY OF NAMIBIA, 2020-09-28) ANDREAS, AILI
The study assessed the effect of monetary policy instruments (interest rates and reserve requirements) on banking institutions risk, measured in terms of non-performing loans. The study used quarterly data from Bank of Namibia from 2001Q1 to 2017Q3. The study employed the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) lag model to determine the effects. Since the reserve requirements is seldom used in Namibia and ever kept at one percent of the bank’s total liabilities to the public, it was considered dormant. Therefore, shocking the reserves requirements up-or down-wards is not plausible in the Namibian economy. The variables considered are non-performing loans (NPL), as a dependent variable and interest rates (I), banks tier I capital (CA), banks’ total assets (TA), gross domestic product (GDP), and private credit extension (CR); as the explanatory variables. The results indicate that there is a short run negative effect between interest rates and bank risk, which implies that the low rate would increase the bank’s non-performing loans. The negative relationship indicates that low inflation or price stability does not guarantee financial stability in the economy. The Granger causality results indicate non-causality between interest rates and bank risk, but interest rates Granger cause economic growth and private sector credit that have a direct effect to bank risks.
ANALYSING THE EXCHANGE RATE VOLATILITY RELATIVE TO TRADE BALANCE: THE CASE OF SACU COUNTRIES
(UNVERSITY OF NAMIBIA, 2020-09-23) HAANSENDE, CHRISTINE MAZUBA
The term exchange rate volatility is widely used in the financial market. The exchange rate is determined in the foreign exchange market, which is said to be the largest market in the world and it trades financial assets. Many studies have shown that researchers, relevant practitioners and policy makers pay lots of attention to the issue of exchange rate and volatility. Volatility is known to be very important when it comes to making decisions in financial trading activities that are based on fluctuations on return. This study has two main objectives, namely to analyse the kind of relationship between exchange rate volatility and trade balance in the selected member states of the SACU region in which the selected countries are Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa. The second objective of this study was to determine the impact between exchange rate volatility and trade balance in the selected member states of the SACU region. The time series data which was used in this study was from the period 1986 to 2016. The Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model, the impulse response functions and variance decompositions are used in the analysis. Results show that there is a short-run relationship between exchange rate volatility and trade balance. It was found that there is a positive and negative impact between these two variables, with high volatility. Furthermore, this study recommends all Central Banks in the SACU region to intervene in order to mitigate exchange rate volatili
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON FOOD SECURITY: THE CASE OF MBIRE DISTRICT, MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE
(UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE, 2019-05-04) MUNDOWA, Tussle Mishek
This dissertation investigates the factors influencing smallholder farmer’s decision to participate in non-farm employment activities and the impact of this on rural households’ food security status in the Mbire District of Zimbabwe. The analysis uses a treatment evaluation model and the associated propensity score matching (PSM) technique, which permits the comparisons between the food security status of smallholder farmers who participate in non-farm employment activities and those who do not. Estimation of propensity scores enable us to identify the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision to diversify into non-farm employment activities. The results indicate that a number of demographic (gender and education of household head), infrastructural (internet access and distance to the main road) and farm level characteristics (land size, livestock herd owned and productive assets) have qualitative and quantitatively different impacts on rural households’ participation in non-farm employment activities. Further, the empirical analysis confirms that diversifying into non-farm employment activities improves rural households’ food security status. The results imply that non-farm employment activities can be a way out of food insecurity in Mbire district. The study therefore recommends the government and NGOs to induce the rural households to diversify into non-farm activities as they improve their food security status since the climatic conditions in the district are not well suitable for agricultural practices.
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN TOBACCO CONTRACT FARMING AND ITS IMPACT ON LAND PRODUCTIVITY. A CASE OF HURUNGWE DISTRICT, MASHONALAND WEST PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE.
(UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE, 2020-12-08) Ziyadhuma, Prosper
This study used farm level data from Hurungwe district in Mashonaland West province of Zimbabwe to estimate a logistic regression to identify factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decision to participate in tobacco contract farming. The results reveal that age and distance to the main road negatively influence while gender, farming experience, education level, access to internet and firm reputation positively influence smallholder farmers’ decision to participate in contract farming. To determine the impact of contract farming on land productivity (yield per hectare) between contract farming participants and their counterparts who did not participate, the treatment evaluation model with the associated propensity score matching (PSM) was used. The model permits comparison in terms of yield per hectare between the two groups after controlling for other observable and non-observable smallholder farmer characteristics. The estimated results support the hypothesis that contracted tobacco farmers obtain higher yield per hectare than non-contracted farmers do. The study recommends that the government of Zimbabwe through the ministry of agriculture should create an environment comfortable for tobacco contracting firms and tobacco farmers to work together since tobacco contract farming increase farmers’ yield. More so, policies that aim to encourage farmers’ education and farmer’s access to internet are important since educated farmers participate more in tobacco contract farming
An analysis of farmers’ preferences for crop insurance: a case of maize farmers in Swaziland
(African Economic Research Consortium, 2023) Mbonane, Nobuhle Duduzile
Agriculture is an important sector in sub-Saharan Africa, serving as a stimulus for growth and the provision of food security, and assisting in poverty reduction (Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), 2000). However, food insecurity and poverty remain pressing issues in the sub-Saharan region. According to Cervantes-Godoy et al. (2013), the reasons for food insecurity and poverty are the susceptibility of agriculture to production, policy and price risks which impact farmers’ income and welfare. The smallholder agricultural sector in many countries is the largest contributor to rural economies and to the livelihoods of the majority of the population (FAO, 2005). Agricultural production is subject to various risks, including drought, outbreaks of disease and floods, among others. Climate change is also one of the predominant sources of production risks (Ramiro, 2009). Such risks are experienced by farmers in both developing and developed countries, but they frequently have different consequences in different places (World Bank, 2005). They can influence production choices, agricultural production or farm incomes and can subsequently affect the livelihood of people dependent on agriculture. Furthermore, they may impede future investments and the growth of agricultural businesses. It is therefore imperative to gain a detailed understanding of how these risks affect agricultural production and how they can be mitigated. Smallholder farmers often face challenges caused by uncertain weather conditions, insecure land ownership and restricted access to capital and other farm inputs. Considering the risks associated with agricultural production, banks are unlikely to lend to farmers in disaster prone areas if the shocks can, potentially, result to loan defaults (The Guardian, 2014). Improving smallholder maize production is a vital strategy in addressing the roots of poverty and food insecurity.
Analysis of Firm Capital Structure Decisions: The Case of Non-Banking Firms in Botswana
(University Of Bostwana, 2019-09-02) Ntongana, Epiphany Linden
This study seeks to bridge the knowledge gap by analyzing capital structure decisions of non-banking firms in Botswana. The study also investigates the effects of macroeconomic conditions on firms’ investment behavior as measured through their capital structure decisions, with a specific focus on Botswana non-banking firms. This study’s focus on non-banking sectors is based on the difficulty in comparing firms in banking sector and those who are not, mainly due to the regulations firms face regarding capital structure. Moreover, since Botswana’s diversification efforts are targeted at expanding the economy’s productive sectors in order to reduce dependence on the mining sector, the study seeks to focus on the capital structure of the firms in these other sectors. As a consequence, the study looks at the banking sector as part of the sources of capital structure which they provide to firms in the country, hence the exclusion of the commercial banks and the Botswana Stock Exchange as firms in the study. The capital structure decisions of non-banking firms in Botswana are examined using a Two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) which takes into account simultaneity issues in the dataset, as well as through Quantile regression in order to examine the sectors in depth."
AN ANALYSIS OF MACROECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF HOUSE PRICE VOLATILITY IN NAMIBIA
(UNVERSITY OF NAMIBIA, 2020-09-23) KAMATI, KATRINA NAMUTENYA
The housing sector plays a significant role in the economy however, house prices are presumed to be more volatile than other goods and services, because of their high demand. The aim of this study was to conduct an empirical analysis of the determinants of house price volatility in Namibia. Moreover, the direction of causality between house price volatility and the macroeconomic determinants was examined. The ARCH and GARCH models together with the VAR/VECM approaches were used to analyse quarterly data from 2007 quarter 1 to 2017 quarter 2. The findings show that house prices in Namibia are volatile and the volatility is highly persistent. A long run relationship was established between house price volatility and the macroeconomic determinants. It was further established that volatility itself, GDP and mortgage loans significantly determine house price volatility. In addition, a unidirectional causality from GDP and mortgage loans to house price volatility was found. The IRF analysis showed that shocks to the selected macroeconomic variables, except the prime lending rate magnify volatility. It was also confirmed by the VDC analysis that mortgage loans and current volatility are the most significant variables that explain variation in house price volatility. Policy makers should therefore monitor macroeconomic factors closely and ensure that the economy is growing to mitigate the issues of house price volatility.
AN ANALYSIS OF MACROECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF REMITTANCES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
(UNVERSITY OF NAMIBIA, 2020-09-29) SINGOGO, FWASA K
The study analyzed macroeconomic determinants of remittances in Southern Africa and made use of annual data for the period ranging from 2003 to 2016. The macroeconomic determinants used include: remittances themselves, the inflation rate, GDP growth rate, the nominal exchange rate, broad money and age dependency ratio. In doing so, the study further analyzed cyclicality and the volatility of remittances in the region in order to get a more rounded perspective. In seeking to meet its objectives, a panel study was carried out using both the fixed and random methods of which the random method was found to be most appropriate. The Southern African countries included in the study were Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia. Other major tests applied included a Standard deviation test for volatility; the Hodrick Prescott (HP) filter with detrended series, to analyze for cyclicality; and cross correlation tests to determine if there existed pro or counter cyclical behavior. The study found that amongst the macroeconomic determinants used; only GDP growth (changes/improvements in the home countries’ economic environment) and the exchange rate were statistically significant with respective positive relationships with remittance inflows. It was also found that volatility of remittances was low, which was evidently reflected in the values of the standard deviations with the highest being 1.784. In regards to cyclicality, the tests exhibited prominence of pro cyclical behavior which could imply that migrants optimize placement of their savings between origin and destination countries of which the remitting of funds is a form of investment. However, several periods of counter cyclicality were observed that made it hard to out-rightly conclude pro cyclicality as being the definite trend.
Analysis of main determinants of soya bean price volatility in Malawi
(African Economic Research Consortium, 2018-11) Chimaliro, Aubrey Victor
The study primarily focuses on analysing the extent of soybean price volatility in Malawi. The interest in the study was triggered by the findings from literature noting soybean prices in Malawi as being particularly volatile. Soybean is one of the most important oilseed crops in Malawi and has the potential to become a major export crop. It offers good export prospects to neighbouring countries in Southern Africa, but has also been prioritised for its potential domestic contribution in Malawi. It is regarded as one of the value chains that promotes better nutrition in Malawi since most diets are dominated by maize, which contributes to malnutrition in Malawi. The study empirically estimates soybean price volatility using a GARCH (1,1) model and results indicate that both the lagged squared residual and the lagged conditional variance have an effect on the conditional variance of soybean prices. GARCH terms are significant, indicating some volatility clustering in monthly returns of soybeans in Malawi, South Africa and the world. The study confirms that soybean prices in Malawi have been more volatile relative to South Africa and the USA. To evaluate the extent to which domestic soybean price volatility can be attributed to regional and global market volatility, the Engle-Granger procedure was employed to estimate long-run co-integration between soybean prices in Malawi, South Africa and the world. The prices are categorised into six pairs and testing the long-run co-integration between these pairs involve both directions. Five out of the six pairs of prices exhibit long-run co-integrating relationships. An error correction model (ECM) is also employed to estimate the speed of adjustment to the equilibrium for five co-integrated price series. South Africa is the fastest in responding to the USA price changes, taking two months. Malawi is the second fastest since it takes about four months for soybean prices to respond to shocks in South African markets. However, it takes about seven months for the USA soybean prices to respond to price shocks in the South African markets which is longer than the period that Malawi takes to respond. South Africa takes nine months to respond to the shocks that occur in the Malawian markets. USA is the lowest in terms of the speed of adjustment since it takes about sixteen months to respond to the Malawian market shocks. Therefore, this study agrees with expectation that changes in the international markets affect the domestic markets. This is so because South Africa is a small nation in the international soybean market and Malawi is even much smaller – the volumes traded in these markets are considered too small to have any meaningful impact on world market prices. Lastly, to evaluate the influence of shocks on the South African prices, as well as selected macro-economic variables in Malawi on soybean price volatility in Malawi, the study employs a vector error correction model (VECM) to evaluate the long- and short-run relationship between soybean prices and explanatory variables (South Africa soybean prices, exchange rates and consumer price index). The error correction coefficient of -0.2089 is negative and highly significant which is in line with expectations. The Johansen test points to the possibility of 1 or 2 cointegrated relationships between variables. The Wald test results show that the probability values of the joint F-statistics for South African soybean prices and Malawi exchange rate are significant at 10% and 5% levels respectively. Based on the significance of both the error correction term and the joint F-statistics of the two lagged variables in the Wald test results, the study concludes that South Africa soybean prices and Malawi exchange rate are significant drivers of volatility in Malawi soybean prices.
An assessment of South Africa’s non-genetically modified maize export potential
(2020-02) Mawasha, Joseph Leshasha
The study endeavoured to determine South Africa’s export potential in non-genetically modified maize markets using a three pronged methodological approach. The Genetically Modified (GM) status of South African maize has been observed as a challenge restraining the extent of South Africa's maize exports to major maize importing markets. The study thus sought to quantify South Africa's maize export potential to non-GM maize markets. Firstly, the study identified South Africa’s non-GM maize markets using a growth share matrix. Secondly, South Africa’s non-GM maize export markets with high trade potential were identified using an Indicative Potential analysis. A gravity model was then used to determine potential export markets with trade stimulating and restraining effects. The study finds that Italy, Angola, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Greece, Zambia and Austria exhibited the highest trade potential among the identified potential non-GM maize markets. Based on the three pronged approach employed by the study, it was concluded that despite the limited scope for non-GM maize market penetration, there are markets which displayed greater potential for expansion as they were part of the most desirable markets, exhibited high trade potential and had trade stimulating effects. These markets include; Italy, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Angola. It was recommended that farmers who choose to engage in large scale non-GM maize production should thus be guided by the forces of demand and supply in the non-GM maize export market and react to favourable opportunities as presented. Moreover, the government of South Africa needs to maintain a regulatory system that enables for segregation of non-GM and GMO maize along the maize value chain to allow for preference for South African non-GM maize by major non-GM maize importers.
ASSURANCE MALADIE ET UTILISATION DES SERVICES DE SANTE AU BENIN
(DE L’UNIVERSITE D’ABOMEY-CALAVI (BENIN), 2017-04-21) ZOUNMENOU, Alexandre Yédjannavo
L’utilisation des services de santé constitue un des facteurs indispensables à l’amélioration de l’état de santé des populations. Ainsi, de nombreux efforts ont été consacrés par les autorités nationales et les partenaires extérieurs au cours des dernières décennies pour améliorer l’offre des services de santé dans les pays en développement. Mais, force est de constater que l’utilisation des services de santé reste toujours faible en Afrique. Au Bénin, le taux de couverture en infrastructure sanitaire est de 93,1% en 2015. Ce fort taux témoigne d’une meilleure couverture en infrastructure sanitaire. Cependant, le taux de fréquentation des services de santé est relativement faible et s’établit à 50,3%. Compte tenu de l’écart entre ces deux taux, les travaux sur l’utilisation des services de santé soutiennent en majorité que recentrer le débat de l’accès aux soins de santé du côté de la demande va permettre d’améliorer l’utilisation des services de santé pour les couches défavorisées de la population. La présente dissertation doctorale mobilise les théories de la demande pour analyser l’utilisation des services de santé au Bénin. Elle s’organise autour de trois chapitres et défend la thèse selon laquelle la faible utilisation des services de santé au Bénin est due à la faible couverture en assurance maladie. Les modèles de choix discrets développés tout au long du travail, logit dans les deux premiers chapitres et logit multinomial dans le troisième chapitre, fournissent des arguments empiriques pour valider les développements théoriques. Les analyses du premier chapitre nous ont permis de conclure que l’assurance maladie publique favorise l’utilisation des services de santé. L’amélioration de l’utilisation des services de santé au Bénin passe donc par l’augmentation de la couverture en assurance maladie publique. L’influence des groupes d’assurance informelle (nujè mèji gbê) sur l’utilisation des services de santé reste mitigée. Cependant, l’appartenance à un groupe d’assurance informelle contribue à réduire les dépenses de santé. Le logit multinomial estimé dans le troisième chapitre nous a permis de confirmer l’intuition selon laquelle l’assurance maladie formelle est réservée aux ménages riches et aux ménages dirigés par des individus ayant fait des études supérieures. Toutefois, les mutuelles de santé initiées pour étendre la protection contre le risque maladie aux travailleurs du secteur informel et plus précisément aux ménages pauvres ne leur sont pas accessibles.
CAUSES DE LA PRESSION SUR LES FORETS PERIURBAINES DE BANGUI : UNE ANALYSE DES STRUCTURES DE L’OFFRE ET DE LA DEMANDE DE BOIS ENERGIE
(Université de Yaoundé II, 2014-02-03) MBALLA, Urbain Nerry Cyrille
La RCA dispose d’une large couverture forestière estimée à 22,605 millions d’ha avec une prédominance des forêts ouvertes. Mais, elle ne cesse d’enregistrer de perte depuis la première évaluation des ressources forestières de la FAO en 1990. Sur la période 1990-2010, le pays a perdu près de 600.000 ha de son couvert. Au niveau des grands centres urbains comme la capitale Bangui, les forêts reculent dans l’ordre de 0,3 km par an suite à l’expansion agricole à petite échelle mais, surtout à la collecte du bois énergie qui en est l’élément déclencheur. Cette collecte de bois énergie représente 70% de tous les prélèvements du bois dans le pays. L’objet de cette thèse est d’analyser les causes de la pression du bois énergie sur les forêts périurbaines de Bangui. Plus spécifiquement il s’agit d’évaluer d’une part le rôle de la qualité des institutions locales sur le choix du site de collecte de bois énergie et d’autre part les influences des prix des énergies modernes et du revenu sur la dépendance au bois énergie des ménages de la ville de Bangui. La théorie des droits de propriété et celle de l’échelle des énergies ont été utilisées comme les fondements théoriques. Au plan opératoire, le modèle probit multinomial a été utilisé dans un premier temps pour évaluer le rôle des institutions locales dans le choix du site de collecte de bois énergie. Comme résultat, la collecte de bois énergie dans la région des Plateaux est faite de manière anarchique. En d’autres termes, les producteurs collectent le bois principalement dans les forêts communales et publiques, et cela s’explique par la distance entre les villages et les villes les plus proches c'est-à-dire la proximité avec le milieu urbain, l’absence du titre légal de propriété, le faible niveau d’éducation en milieu rural et la faible qualité des institutions locales dans la gestion des ressources. Ceci parce qu’il n’existe dans ces milieux ni de contrôle sur l’accès aux forêts, ni de restriction sur la quantité de bois à prélever et encore moins de sanction pour réprimer les comportements déviants. En second lieu, le modèle de sélection est utilisé pour évaluer les déterminants du choix de bois énergie et de la part du budget allouée à cette source. L’estimation est faite par la méthode du maximum de vraisemblance. Les résultats ont montré que les principaux facteurs de la dépendance au bois énergie sont l’indicateur de prix des énergies modernes, le revenu des ménages et l’usage du foyer traditionnel. Concernant la variable revenu, son niveau exerce une influence négative sur la probabilité du choix, et une fois choisi, les ménages ayant un revenu entre 20.000 et 720.000 F CFA ont tendance à augmenter leurs demandes de bois lorsque le revenu augmente.
CHILD LABOUR, SCHOOLING AND POVERTY: AN ANALYSIS OF GHANA’S RECENT EXPERIENCE
(University of Ghana , Legon, 2012-07-21) EGYEI, RICHMOND KINGSLEY
In spite of the major efforts by governments in addressing the issue of children‟s participation in the labour market, much remains to be learnt about the determinants of child labour and schooling in Ghana. This study sought to explore the link between child labour, schooling and poverty using data from the 2005/06 Ghana Living Standards Survey. From a premise that child labour conflicts with the human capital accumulation of the child, an attempt is made using a logistic model to identify the determinants of child labour and schooling in Ghana. The findings from the regression results established a gender gap in schooling – in favour of girls. Child labour is found to be more of a rural phenomenon. Fathers with relatively high levels of education were found to have a significant influence on reducing the likelihood of child labour. Household ownership of productive assets (land and livestock), and other household characteristics also has a significant role to play. The result also established that children from poor households are more likely to participate in the labour market. The corresponding relationship with schooling shows that poverty reduces the likelihood of a child being in school. The result thus lends strong support to the view that poverty has a big impact on child labour. General and specific recommendations aimed at increasing school attendance and reducing child labour have been made.
CHOICE OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES-CASE OF BUDIRIRO 4 HIGH DENSITY SUBURBS, HARARE
(UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE, 2020-09-25) RANGANAI, MUNERI
The study investigated the factors that determine patients’ choice of health care provider in Zimbabwe, using data collected from Budiririro 4 by way of questionnaires. A sample of 150 people who reported having been sick within the last 12 months was collected. A multinomial logistic model was employed, further which marginal effects were calculated. The findings were that being male increases the probability of choosing Private and mission clinics/hospitals and decreases the probability of choosing public facilities and spiritual/ religious providers. As income increases, patients shun spiritual/religious providers and move to demand services from private clinics/hospitals. Increase in household size causes patients to move away from private clinics/hospital and demand services from religious/spiritual healers. Members of the apostolic sect are predisposed to choose spiritual/religious healers and have a lower probability of choosing private clinics/hospitals. Patients suffering from perceived severe illness have a lower probability of choosing public clinics/hospitals. An increase in user fees is associated with an increased probability of choosing private, mission and spiritual healers, a very surprising result. Perceived high quality in private and spiritual providers is associated with an increase probability that they are chosen by patients. The major recommendations were that the government should fully incorporate the private providers, formal and informal, into the system so as to improve access and health care utilization in Zimbabwe. The public provider should avail family discounts to improve access by large families. The government should intensify awareness campaigns to encourage members of apostolic sect to seek formal health care services. The Zimbabwean heath system should endeavor to eliminate the impasse that exists between health care funders and provider
Climate variability, agricultural productivity, and household welfare outcomes in Uganda
(African Economic Research Consortium, 2023-10-17) Babyenda, Peter
Eighty-five percent of Ugandans depend largely on rain-fed agriculture to make a living. Thus, they are exposed to the effects of variability in climate. Evidence shows that changes in climate are taking place in all regions of Uganda with noticeable changes in precipitation and temperature including persistence of adverse weather occurrences such as prolonged drought, floods, landslides, and rising temperatures. According to the World Bank, climate variability is projected to cause a global agricultural production loss of about US$1.5 billion by the year 2050. This is likely to extend to Uganda’s main foreign exchange earning crops (such as coffee and maize) leading to combined economic losses among farm households of about US$1.4 billion by the year 2050. Against this backdrop, this thesis investigates the effect of variability in climate on the productivity of agriculture and the welfare outcomes of households in Uganda. The thesis further explores the factors influencing the decision of households to adapt to variability in climate and assesses welfare differences between the adapting and non-adapting households.
Comparative Impact of Fiscal and Monetary Policies on Stock Market Performance in Nigeria
(University of Benin, 2021-08-04) Akinkuotu, Oluwayemisi
This study empirically examined the effects of anticipated and unanticipated fiscal and monetary policies on the performance of the stock market. In addition, the study examined the relationship between these policies; whether they act as substitutes or complements in affecting stock market performance. The theoretical contention of Keynesian Economics that a mix of fiscal and monetary policy is the best in achieving macroeconomic objectives serves as the motivation for the study. The study has also been motivated by growing empirical evidence, which shows that the stock market plays an important role in enhancing economic growth. This is because the stock market has been recognized as an important sector of the macro economy, as it stands as a key component of financial system and performs crucial roles for the economic development of a country. However, if the stock market is to perform better, government policies need to be formulated and geared towards the better performance of the stock market. However, there has been no consensus both theoretically and empirically on the effect of government policies on stock market performance, and the relationship between fiscal and monetary policies in Nigeria. The study used quarterly time series data on Nigerian stock market over the period 2000 – 2012. The study proceeded by first testing for Stationarity and cointegration of the variables used in the estimation process, having specified the fiscal and monetary policies vector error correction models, for the first and second objective and the vector autoregressive model for the third objective. The values for the anticipated and unanticipated fiscal and monetary policies obtained thereof were then used in the estimation of a model specified to capture stock market performance, as measured by the value of transaction in the market. The empirical results obtained showed that both anticipated fiscal policy and monetary policy had a negative relationship with stock market performance in the long run. It was noticed that, anticipated monetary policy causes more variations in the performance of the stock market than the anticipated fiscal policy component. There exists unilateral relationship between anticipated fiscal and stock market performance, anticipated monetary policy and stock market, interest rate and stock market, stock market and exchange rate, anticipated fiscal policy and exchange rate and interest rate and exchange rate. However, unanticipated fiscal policy actions have a positive and not significant relationship with the stock market, whilst an unanticipated monetary policy action has a minimal positive and significant effect on the stock market. Unanticipated fiscal policy actions have very little impact in its contributions to the stock market, the unanticipated monetary policy also has little impact but it is of a lower magnitude compared to the unanticipated fiscal policy. On the other hand, both unanticipated fiscal and monetary policies did not have a unilateral or bilateral relationship with the stock market performance. Lastly, the study found that fiscal and monetary policies act as complements in their effect on the performance of the stock market. These findings suggest that policy makers need to exercise considerable caution regarding fiscal-monetary policy stance and stock market regulation in Nigeria.

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