Journal of Economics and Policy Analysis

Digitalisation and Sectoral Employment Dynamics in Ecowas: An Empirical Analysis

Oluwasola Oni — 2026-01-12

The digital transformation process presents an opportunity to create more stable and secure jobs in both the primary and tertiary sectors. Understanding how digitalisation can improve job availability in African households is essential for promoting equitable economic growth and reducing unemployment rates across the continent. Given this, the study investigates the influence of digitalisation on employment in the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). A balanced panel dataset from 13 ECOWAS countries was considered; we applied three estimation techniques - pooled regression, fixed effects, and random effects models - to examine the impact of key digitalisation indicators (Mobile Cellular Subscriptions (MCS), Individuals Using the Internet, ICT Service Exports, and Fixed Broadband Subscriptions) on sectoral employment. The study results indicate that the digitalisation process has an industry-specific influence on employment. There is a negative relationship between growing internet usage in agriculture and employment, meaning that as internet usage increases, employment decreases. On the other hand, the export of ICT services and the number of broadband connections benefit agricultural employment. Within the industrial sector, the introduction of MCS hurts employment in all models, but implementing IUI demonstrates a direct effect. The service industry exhibits heterogeneous outcomes, where digitalisation has a favourable impact in certain circumstances but a negative impact in others, contingent upon the particular digitalisation metric and estimation approach. The study suggests that digitalisation can lead to increased employment in specific industries. However, it also emphasises the importance of taking a careful and detailed approach to preventing job losses in other sectors. This highlights the necessity of implementing customised policy measures to maximise the advantages of digital transformation in the ECOWAS region.

Household Economic Analysis of the Effect of Contraceptive Demand on Fertility Outcomes in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Joel O. Ugwuozor — 2026-01-12

This study investigated the effect of contraceptive demand on fertility outcomes in Ebonyi State, Nigeria and its associated economic implications at the household level. Relying on household survey data from 590 respondents across six local government areas, the study employed descriptive statistical analysis and multiple regression analysis. The result of descriptive analysis uncovered that 87.6% of respondents were aware of contraceptives, yet contraceptive usage remained limited. The average respondent desired 4.66 children but actually had 6.13 children, indicating a fertility gap. Most respondents (67.8%) resided in rural areas, 40.2% had secondary education, and 86.4% were employed. Notably, 65% lacked access to nearby family planning clinics, and the majority of households reported having children out of school. Multiple regression analysis result reveals a statistically significant negative relationship between contraceptive demand and fertility outcomes (β = -0.353, p = 0.040), indicating that increased contraceptive use leads to reduced fertility rates. Age of respondents (β = 0.092, p < 0.001) and desire for children (β = 0.329, p < 0.001) showed positive association with fertility, while urban residency (β = -0.904, p < 0.001), household head education (β = -0.021, p = 0.013), and household income (β = -3.901E-6, p < 0.01) demonstrated negative associations. The study further found that high fertility outcomes constitute a major albatross to household welfare and socioeconomic development. The study therefore recommends increased availability of subsidised modern contraceptives, particularly in rural areas, improved education, especially for women, addressing socio-cultural barriers to contraceptive use, amongst others. These interventions are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1, 3, and 5, promoting poverty reduction and improved maternal health outcomes.

Effects of Governance on Economic Growth in Nigeria

Akintola M. Odu — 2026-01-12

The study investigates the effects of governance on economic growth in Nigeria from 1996 to 2021. The study adopts ARDL as an estimation technique, while the findings empirically show that the absence of violence and terrorism and political stability, and RGDPCC significantly and positively correlate in both the short and long run. This implies that improving political stability and tackling security issues can greatly promote the economic growth of Nigeria. The report suggests that the Nigerian government prioritise political stability and security measures from these findings. Enhancing a favourable atmosphere for investment and economic activity entails promoting social cohesiveness, tackling the underlying causes of conflict, and building security infrastructure so as to prove a more thorough grasp of the governance-growth relationship in a multiplicity of contexts.

Does Chinese FDI inflow into Africa influence Inflation in the African Economy

Usman A. Usman — 2026-01-12

For several decades, most disruptions and failing macroeconomic stability have been attributed to endogenous drivers. The rapid increase in Chinese FDI raises concern for indigenous firms, even though a few have argued that foreign firms compete with foreign firms in isolation from the indigenous firms. Heavy expenses on foreign products for a continent whose place in the supply chain is primarily raw materials and not finished goods implies paying heavily for payment and exchanging local currency for dollars. This impliedly means rise in inflation due to the importation cost. This study employed the generalised method of moments (GMM) to investigate Chinese FDI inflow into Africa and its effect on macroeconomic stability (inflation). This study employed a panel data set of forty-two (42) African countries spanning 2016 to 2023. The findings show that Broad money is negative at 10% level, indicating that it does not affect inflation. However, government revenue has a negative effect on inflation, indicating that it reduces inflation at 1% level of significance. Gross fixed capital formation is positive at 1% level of significance, indicating that it stimulates inflation. The coefficient of Chinese FDI is also positive at 1% level of significance, indicating that it increases inflation. U.S export has a negative effect on inflation at 5% level of significance.

Do Price Dynamics Undermine Food Security in Nigeria?

Rufus Oziegbe — 2026-01-16

This study investigates the long-run effects of price dynamics on food security in Nigeria. Drawing on annual data from 2002 to 2022, it employs a Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) model to assess how macroeconomic indicators, specifically the consumer price index (CPI), GDP per capita, labour force participation, population, and institutional quality, affect a composite Food Security Index (FSI). The results reveal a significant positive relationship between CPI and food security, suggesting that moderate inflation may reflect supply-side responses or sectoral growth. The results also reveal that GDP per capita and labour force participation both exhibit strong positive effects, highlighting the role of income and employment in enhancing food access. In contrast, institutional quality shows a significant negative association with food security, challenging theoretical expectations and pointing to governance implementation gaps despite apparent institutional improvements. Policy recommendations include investments in domestic food production, supply chain logistics, and inflation-indexed safety nets, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Impact of Remittance Inflows on Financial Inclusion in Nigeria

Joel Edafe — 2026-01-16

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between diaspora remittance inflows and financial inclusion in Nigeria over the period 1981 to 2023. Employing a simultaneous equations framework and the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique, the research explores how remittance inflows affect financial inclusion, which is measured by the number of bank branches per 100,000 square kilometers and the volume of bank deposits per adult population. These variables are used to respectively measure access and use of financial services. The study adapted the financial access possibility frontier theoretical framework to develop a model that explains how remittances extend financial access to the initially excluded groups. The empirical analysis reveals that remittance inflows have a significant and positive impact on financial inclusion by enhancing both access to formal banking infrastructure and the use of banking services in Nigeria. Thus, there is evidence that remittances can be leveraged to promote financial inclusion and drive inclusive economic growth in Nigeria. The study therefore advocates for the improved efficiency of remittance channels and better integration of remittance recipients with the formal financial sector to maximise the inclusive benefits of remittances. This outcome would be particularly favourable to the vulnerable and underserved populations since they are expected to benefit more from increased financial inclusion.