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Testing the impact of financial inclusion on income convergence: Empirical evidence from Nigeria

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  • Saifullahi Sani Ibrahim
  • Haruna Mohammad Aliero

Abstract

Financial inclusion, as a key pillar for inclusive development, has long been considered as an important instrument for reducing poverty and income inequality. However, the income convergence effect of financial inclusion remains only partially explored. Using longitudinal data covering three survey waves on Nigerian households, this study explores the potential of financial inclusion as an instrument for reducing income disparity. After controlling for the endogeneity issues, the results of instrumental variable linear and quantile regressions consistently show a strong nexus between financial inclusion and per capita income. This positive effect is experienced by all households regardless of income distribution. The decomposition results reveal that ab initio, financial inclusion resulted in income divergence leading to widening inequality across the households with various income distributions. However, the income convergence started from the middle to the higher income household categories, with the lowest income lagging behind in the second wave. The lowest income households eventually converged in the data of the third wave. In this sense, it can be argued that financial inclusion could play an important role in the reduction of income inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Saifullahi Sani Ibrahim & Haruna Mohammad Aliero, 2020. "Testing the impact of financial inclusion on income convergence: Empirical evidence from Nigeria," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(1), pages 42-54, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:afrdev:v:32:y:2020:i:1:p:42-54
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8268.12413
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    5. Abdul Jalloh*, Mamoud, 2023. "Determinants Of Financial Inclusion In Sierra Leone: Evidence From Findex Surveys," Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy, Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, vol. 10(1), pages 32-45, June.
    6. Ozili, Peterson Kitakogelu, 2022. "Financial inclusion in Nigeria: an overview," MPRA Paper 113572, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Hermann Hegueu Ndoya & Charly Ondobo Tsala, 2021. "What drive gender gap in financial inclusion? Evidence from Cameroon," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(4), pages 674-687, December.
    8. Abdullahi Shagali, Aminu & Sani Ibrahim, Saifullahi & Mukhtar, Shuaibu, 2020. "Contemporary issues on the sustainable rural development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A survey of salient literature," MPRA Paper 101443, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Fatma Mabrouk & Jihen Bousrih & Manal Elhaj & Jawaher Binsuwadan & Hind Alofaysan, 2023. "Empowering Women through Digital Financial Inclusion: Comparative Study before and after COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Bakouan, Pousseni & Sawadogo, Relwendé, 2024. "BioTrade and income inequality: Does frontier technology readiness matter?," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 650-665.
    11. Md Jamil, Abd Rahim & Law, Siong Hook & Khair-Afham, M.S. & Trinugroho, Irwan, 2024. "Financial inclusion and income inequality in developing countries: The role of aging populations," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    12. ETUDAIYE-MUHTAR Oyebola Fatima, 2024. "Financial Inclusion And Income Inequality In Nigeria," Management of Sustainable Development, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 16(1), pages 75-87, June.
    13. Singh Tanu & Pande Sarveshwar, 2023. "Indian Government Schemes Based Analysis on Women Empowerment In Financial Inclusion," Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series, Sciendo, vol. 33(4), pages 1-22, December.
    14. Milly Chepkorir Chebochok & Nimonka Bayale, 2023. "Effects of financial inclusion on tax revenue mobilization: Evidence from WAEMU countries," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 35(2), pages 226-238, June.
    15. Regean Mugume & Enock W. N. Bulime, 2022. "Post‐COVID‐19 recovery for African economies: Lessons for digital financial inclusion from Kenya and Uganda," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(S1), pages 161-176, July.
    16. Akinwumi Sharimakin, 2023. "Microfinance bank in Nigeria: operating environment, sustainability, and welfare impact," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(10), pages 1-27, October.
    17. Gislain Stéphane Gandjon Fankem & Marthe Dorelle Melingui, 2021. "Le développement financier affecte‐t‐il l'inégalité de revenus en Afrique subsaharienne?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(4), pages 620-633, December.

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