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Public Debt-Investment Nexus: the Significance of Investment-Generation Policy in West Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Fisayo Fagbemi

    (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria)

  • Opeoluwa A. Adeosun

    (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria)

Abstract

The study examines the long run relationship and interconnections between public debt and domestic investment in 13 West African countries from 1986-2018. Using panel Panel Dynamic Least Squares (DOLS) and Panel Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLS), debt (% of GDP) and external debt have an insignificant effect on investment in the long run, suggesting the negligible effect of public debt on the level of investments. But domestic investment Granger causes public debt indicators, implying that there is unidirectional causality. This suggests that any investment-generation policy could engender a rise in public borrowing, although such public loans might not be effective when there is pervasive mismanagement of public funds, as public debts need to be well managed for ensuring improved investment. Thus, the study suggests that maintaining a strong and effective debt-investment nexus requires fiscal consolidation efforts across countries, as such could lead to enhanced institutional capacity and sustainable investment-generation policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Fisayo Fagbemi & Opeoluwa A. Adeosun, 2020. "Public Debt-Investment Nexus: the Significance of Investment-Generation Policy in West Africa," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 20/083, African Governance and Development Institute..
    • Handle: RePEc:agd:wpaper:20/083
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public debt; investment; fiscal policy; cointegration analysis; West Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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