Growth, Unemployment and Inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa: The role of Financial Development and legal systems and Property Rights

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa faces many challenges,such as poverty, inequality, conflict, corruption, and weak institutions. However, it also has potential for economic growth and development due to its abundant natural resources, young population, and increasing global integration. Thisstudy examines the impact of financial development on economic growth, unemployment, and inflation in sub-Saharan Africa. It also investigates the moderating effects of property rights and legal systems. The study uses panel data from 41 sub-Saharan African countries covering the years 2000–2020 and employs the smoothed sequential quantile regression technique for the empirical analysis. The findings show that at the 25th, 50th, and 75th quantiles, financial development has a positive effect on economic growth and unemployment, while it has a negative effect on inflation. These results highlight the importance of financial development for promoting economic prosperity and stability in the region. Employment increases while inflationand economic progressexpand when property rights interact with legal systems. Sturdy institutions and law structures are key to tapping into financial growth's full potential for jobs, prices, and expansion. The study showedthat lawmakers should bolster law frameworks and property rights enforcement, limit corruption, guard property rights, and improve transparency while supporting financial growth. This study underscores how vital is sub-Saharan Africa's need to grow capital markets, diversify, and enable financial inclusion.