Monetary Union in West Africa

Monetary Union in West Africa PDF Author: Xavier Debrun
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Africa, West
Languages : en
Pages : 42

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Book Description
We develop a multicountry model in which governments aim at excessive spending in order to serve the narrow interests of the group in power. This puts pressure on the monetary authorities to extract seigniorage, and thus affects the incentives countries would have to participate in a monetary union. This feature, ignored by the monetary union literature for Europe, is potentially important in Africa. We calibrate the model to data for West Africa and use it to assess proposed ECOWAS monetary unions. We conclude that monetary union with Nigeria would not be in the interests of other ECOWAS countries, unless it were accompanied by effective discipline over Nigeria's fiscal policies.

Monetary Union in West Africa

Monetary Union in West Africa PDF Author: Xavier Debrun
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Africa, West
Languages : en
Pages : 42

Get Book Here

Book Description
We develop a multicountry model in which governments aim at excessive spending in order to serve the narrow interests of the group in power. This puts pressure on the monetary authorities to extract seigniorage, and thus affects the incentives countries would have to participate in a monetary union. This feature, ignored by the monetary union literature for Europe, is potentially important in Africa. We calibrate the model to data for West Africa and use it to assess proposed ECOWAS monetary unions. We conclude that monetary union with Nigeria would not be in the interests of other ECOWAS countries, unless it were accompanied by effective discipline over Nigeria's fiscal policies.

Regional Integration in West Africa

Regional Integration in West Africa PDF Author: Eswar Prasad
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
ISBN: 0815738544
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 203

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Book Description
" Assessing the potential benefits and risks of a currency union Leaders of the fifteen-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have set a goal of achieving a monetary and currency union by late 2020. Although some progress has been made toward achieving this ambitious goal, major challenges remain if the region is to realize the necessary macroeconomic convergence and establish the required institutional framework in a relatively short period of time. The proposed union offers many potential benefits, especially for countries with historically high inflation rates and weak central banks. But, as implementation of the euro over the past two decades has shown, folding multiple currencies, representing disparate economies, into a common union comes with significant costs, along with operational challenges and transitional risks. All these potential negatives must be considered carefully by ECOWAS leaders seeking tomeet a self-imposed deadline. This book, by two leading experts on economics and Africa, makes a significant analytical contribution to the debates now under way about how ECOWAS could achieve and manage its currency union, andthe ramifications for the African continent. "

The Monetary Geography of Africa

The Monetary Geography of Africa PDF Author: Paul R. Masson
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780815797531
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
Africa is working toward the goal of creating a common currency that would serve as a symbol of African unity. The advantages of a common currency include lower transaction costs, increased stability, and greater insulation of central banks from pressures to provide monetary financing. Disadvantages relate to asymmetries among countries, especially in their terms of trade and in the degree of fiscal discipline. More disciplined countries will not want to form a union with countries whose excessive spending puts upward pressure on the central bank's monetary expansion. In T he Monetary Geography of Africa, Paul Masson and Catherine Pattillo review the history of monetary arrangements on the continent and analyze the current situation and prospects for further integration. They apply lessons from both experience and theory that lead to a number of conclusions. To begin with, West Africa faces a major problem because Nigeria has both asymmetric terms of trade—it is a large oil exporter while its potential partners are oil importers—and most important, large fiscal imbalances. Secondly, a monetary union among all eastern or southern African countries seems infeasible at this stage, since a number of countries suffer from the effects of civil conflicts and drought and are far from achieving the macroeconomic stability of South Africa. Lastly, the plan by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to create a common currency seems to be generally compatible with other initiatives that could contribute to greater regional solidarity. However, economic gains would likely favor Kenya, which, unlike the other two countries, has substantial exports to its neighbors, and this may constrain the political will needed to proceed. A more promising strategy for monetary integration would be to build on existing monetary unions—the CFA franc zone in western and central Africa and the Common Monetary Area in southern Africa. Masson and Pattillo argue that the goal of a creating a s

West African Economic and Monetary Union

West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: Patrick A. Imam
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1484348222
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 46

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Book Description
The financial system in the WAEMU remains largely bank-based. The banking sector comprises 106 banks and 13 financial institutions, which together hold more than 90 percent of the financial system’s assets (about 54 percent of GDP at end-2011). Five banks account for 50 percent of banking assets. The ownership structure of the sector is changing fast, with the rapid rise of foreign-owned (pan-African) banks. This contributes to higher competition but also rising heterogeneity in the banking system, with large and profitable cross-country groups competing with often weaker country-based (and sometime government-owned) banks. Nonbank financial institutions are developing quickly, notably insurance companies, but remain overall small. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the banking system.

Monetary Union in West Africa: Who Might Gain, Who Might Lose, and Why?

Monetary Union in West Africa: Who Might Gain, Who Might Lose, and Why? PDF Author: Xavier Debrun
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


Money Demand and Regional Monetary Policy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Money Demand and Regional Monetary Policy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: Mr.Philipp C. Rother
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1451967624
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
Regional monetary integration, financial liberalization, and the adoption of indirect policy instruments have changed the conditions for monetary policy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The stability of money demand has become a crucial element for monetary policy. This paper presents empirical money demand estimations for regional monetary aggregates and analyzes their stability and forecast performance. The estimations result in a stable relationship for narrow money (M1). Consequently, the region’;s central bank, the BCEAO, can continue to conduct monetary policy in line with the fixed exchange rate system if it succeeds in maintaining financial stability.

Economic Policy Options for a Prosperous Nigeria

Economic Policy Options for a Prosperous Nigeria PDF Author: P. Collier
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230583199
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 447

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Book Description
This book demonstrates that there is sufficient evidence on the Nigerian economy and society to inform many policy issues, and reveals the current problems and policy options that a democratic Nigeria will need to debate and resolve. It presents an agenda of reform as unfinished business.

Africa's Last Colonial Currency

Africa's Last Colonial Currency PDF Author: Fanny Pigeaud
Publisher: Pluto Press (UK)
ISBN: 9780745341798
Category : Africa
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
How the CFA Franc enabled France to continue its colonies in Africa.

Pan-African Banks

Pan-African Banks PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781475547979
Category : Africa
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Book Description
Pan-African banks are expanding rapidly across the continent, creating cross-border networks, and having a systemic presence in the banking sectors of many Sub-Saharan African countries. These banking groups are fostering financial development and economic integration, stimulating competition and efficiency, introducing product innovation and modern management and information systems, and bringing higher skills and expertise to host countries. At the same time, the rise of pan-African banks presents new challenges for regulators and supervisors. As networks expand, new channels for transmission of macro-financial risks and spillovers across home and host countries may emerge. To ensure that the gains from cross border banking are sustained and avoid raising financial stability risks, enhanced cross-border cooperation on regulatory and supervisory oversight is needed, in particular to support effective supervision on a consolidated basis. This paper takes stock of the development of pan-African banking groups; identifies regulatory, supervisory and resolution gaps; and suggests how the IMF can help the authorities address the related challenges.

Economic and Monetary Sovereignty in 21st Century Africa

Economic and Monetary Sovereignty in 21st Century Africa PDF Author: Maha Ben Gadha
Publisher: Pluto Press (UK)
ISBN: 9780745344072
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
The story of how African societies are resisting financial dependency and colonial legacies