Does Financial Development in Relation to Remittances influence Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of financial development on the relationship between remittances and economic growth within the Sub-Saharan Africa region. The study utilised panel data encompassing 42 countries, spanning the time frame 1980 to 2021. The research employed a cross-sectional augmented panel unit root test, as well as the Im-Pesaran-Shin unit-root test, to conduct the unit root analysis. The regression estimations employed the Pooled Mean Group and Mean Group/ARDL methodologies. The research findings demonstrate a significant association between the development of financial systems and sustained economic growth over an extended period. The findings from the empirical analysis indicate that there exists a substitutive relationship between financial development and the association between remittances and economic growth. The study proposes that it would be advantageous for financial policies in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region to give priority to the implementation of efficient financial reforms with the goal of improving the overall depth of the financial sector. Keywords: Remittances, Financial development, ARDL, Economic growth, Sub-Saharan Africa.