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On the Adequacy of Monetary Arrangements in Sub-Saharian Africa

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  • A. Bénassy-Quéré
  • Maylis Coupet

Abstract

We examine the economic rationale for monetary union(s) in Sub‐Saharan Africa through the use of cluster analysis on a sample of 17 countries. The variables used stem from the theory of optimum currency areas and from the fear‐of‐floating literature. It is found that the existing CFA franc zone cannot be viewed as an optimum currency area: CEMAC and UEMOA countries do not belong to the same clusters, and a ‘core’ of the UEMOA can be defined on economic grounds. The results support the inclusion of the Gambia, Ghana and Sierra Leone in an extended UEMOA arrangement, or the creation of a separate monetary union with the ‘core’ of the UEMOA and the Gambia, rather than the creation of a monetary union around Nigeria. Finally, the creation of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) around Nigeria is not supported by the data.
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Suggested Citation

  • A. Bénassy-Quéré & Maylis Coupet, 2003. "On the Adequacy of Monetary Arrangements in Sub-Saharian Africa," THEMA Working Papers 2003-38, THEMA (THéorie Economique, Modélisation et Applications), Université de Cergy-Pontoise.
    • Handle: RePEc:ema:worpap:2003-38
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions

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