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Central Banks’ responses to the Covid-19 pandemic: The case of the Bank of Central African States

Author

Listed:
  • Asongu, Simplice
  • Ojong, Nathanael
  • Soumtang, Valentine

Abstract

This study explores the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), which is the central bank for countries in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), that is, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo. While hitherto, BEAC had fundamentally focused on fighting inflation and promoting monetary integration and financial stability in its member states, the COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, has motivated it to also shift its policies towards targeted credit programmes and more economic growth. This study sheds light on four core aspects: (i) the socio-economic context of the CEMAC region prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) BEAC as a lender of last resort, (iii) historical, contemporary, and future insights surrounding targeted credit programmes, and (iv), suggestions for the path forward in terms of reforms, with emphasis on inclusive growth and monitoring economic development at the regional level.

Suggested Citation

  • Asongu, Simplice & Ojong, Nathanael & Soumtang, Valentine, 2021. "Central Banks’ responses to the Covid-19 pandemic: The case of the Bank of Central African States," MPRA Paper 111558, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:111558
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vanessa S. Tchamyou & Simplice A. Asongu, 2017. "Information Sharing and Financial Sector Development in Africa," Journal of African Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 24-49, January.
    2. Nchanji, Eileen Bogweh & Lutomia, Cosmas Kweyu & Chirwa, Rowland & Templer, Noel & Rubyogo, Jean Claude & Onyango, Patricia, 2021. "Immediate impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on bean value chain in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    3. Vanessa S. Tchamyou, 2019. "The Role of Information Sharing in Modulating the Effect of Financial Access on Inequality," Journal of African Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 317-338, July.
    4. Antoine Ngakosso, 2016. "Monetary Policy and Financial Stability: A CEMAC Zone Case Study," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(7), pages 244-244, July.
    5. Elgin, Ceyhun & Yalaman, Abdullah & Yasar, Sezer & Basbug, Gokce, 2021. "Economic policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of central bank independence," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    6. International Monetary Fund, 2019. "Gabon: Selected Issues," IMF Staff Country Reports 2019/390, International Monetary Fund.
    7. Patricia C. Mosser, 2020. "Central bank responses to COVID-19," Business Economics, Palgrave Macmillan;National Association for Business Economics, vol. 55(4), pages 191-201, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Covid-19 pandemic; monetary policy; central bank responses; CEMAC; BEAC;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G2 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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