This study investigates the role of economic well-being and economic freedom as drivers of renewable energy consumption using the share of renewables in total energy consumption in Africa. To achieve this, the study employs a panel data of 32 African countries over the period 1996-2017. To deal with identification challenges associated with panel time-series data, we use the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares econometric technique. As part of our findings, first, we have evidence that increasing economic well-being in Africa increases the share of renewables in total energy consumption to a point after which it turns negative (inverted U shape). Second, the disaggregated measures of economic freedom show that both property rights and tax burden decrease the share of renewables in total energy consumption. On the contrary, an increase in trade freedom and business freedom measures increases the share of renewables in total energy consumption. Toward the goal of promoting access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030, governments in Africa should actively encourage trade freedom and business freedom to enhance the share of renewable energy consumption. Similarly, reducing the tax burden will promote the share of renewable energy consumption. Likewise, we call for further investigation into our evidence of a negative relationship between property rights and the share of renewables in total energy consumption.

PurposeIn countries where the electronic levy (e-levy) has been implemented, one question that resonates with the populace is, “how much would you want to pay for e-levy per transaction?” In response, varied perspectives have been shared with no convergence. Against this background, this study seeks to estimate people's willingness to pay (WTP) for electronic transaction levy in Ghana, while analysing the associated determinants.Design/methodology/approachThis study relies on a survey of 2,810 respondents obtained from February 9 to 16, 2022 in Ghana. A multivariate logit model was estimated with its marginal effects. Further, a robustness check was undertaken using the linear probability model to validate the results.FindingsWith respect to the sample, the authors find evidence that approximately 46% of the respondents are not willing to pay any amount per transaction for the e-levy. Second, about 21% of the respondents are willing to pay Ghs0.5% as e-levy per transaction. Furthermore, about 10% of the respondents are willing to pay 1% per transaction as e-levy. Those who indicated that they would pay rates above 1% (specifically, 1.50%–1.75%) per transaction are less than 5%. For flat rates, approximately 10% of the respondents were willing to pay Ghs5 per month for all transactions above Ghs100. All others who are interested in other flat rates together are less than 5% of the respondents. The key statistically significant determinants of the probability that an individual would be willing to pay for the e-levy are also provided. This study recommends a comprehensive dialogue between the government and all stakeholders to reach a reasonable conclusion on an acceptable e-levy rate and by extension, implementation strategies.Originality/valueTo the best of the researchers' knowledge, this is the first empirical study that estimates individuals' willingness to pay for e-levy on electronic transactions in a developing country.

This study sets out to investigate the relationship between foreign aid and national income in Ghana, between 1980 and 2005 using fully modified ordinary least squares (FM-OLS). This is to ascertain whether foreign aid receipts have had significant impact on the level of Ghana's gross national income. The autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) bounds test and the Johansen cointegrating equations are used to test for the long-run equilibrium. Three different sample periods namely the pre-structural break, post-structural break, and full-period were used in the analysis. The results in the pre-structural break showed a positive and significant relationship between foreign aid and national income with lower aid elasticity. The post-structural break estimate showed a positive but insignificant relationship. On the contrary, the full sample showed a negative and insignificant relationship with lower income elasticity. The study recommends that, long-run aid that seeks to impact on national income or growth should be accompanied by a well-developed strategic plan to forecast, receive and manage a country's foreign aid

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