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Is There a Case for Formal Inflation Targeting in Sub-Saharan Africa?

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  • James Heintz
  • Léonce Ndikumana

Abstract

This working paper examines the question of whether inflation targeting monetary policy is an appropriate framework for sub-Saharan African countries. The paper presents an overview of inflation targeting, reviews the justification for the regime, and summarizes some major critiques. Monetary policy responses to inflation depend on the source of inflationary pressures. Therefore, the determinants of inflation in African countries areinvestigated, using dynamic panel data, and the implications for inflation targeting are discussed. These issues are examined in greater detail for the two African countries which have formally adopted inflation targeting, South Africa and Ghana. The analysis is placed in the context of the global economic crisis. The paper concludes with a discussion of alternative approaches to monetary policies and the institutional constraints that would need to be addressed to allow central banks to play a stronger developmental role in sub-Saharan African countries.

Suggested Citation

  • James Heintz & Léonce Ndikumana, 2010. "Is There a Case for Formal Inflation Targeting in Sub-Saharan Africa?," Working Papers wp218, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
  • Handle: RePEc:uma:periwp:wp218
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    Cited by:

    1. repec:ilo:ilowps:467212 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Léonce Ndikumana & Zuzana Brixiova & Kaouther Abderrahim, 2010. "Working Paper 117 - Supporting Africa's Post-Crisis Growth: The Role of Macroeconomic Policies," Working Paper Series 254, African Development Bank.
    3. Mwankemwa, Lusajo P. & Mlamka, Bonaventura, 2022. "Effects of Monetary Policy on Bank’s Credit Dynamics in Tanzania," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 10(2), March.
    4. Gerson Nhapulo & João Nicolau, 2017. "Assessing Nonlinear Dynamics of Central Bank Reaction Function: The Case of Mozambique," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 85(1), pages 28-51, March.
    5. Agu, Ugochukwu. & Evoh, Chijioke J., 2011. "Macroeconomic policy for full and productive and decent employment for all : the case of Nigeria," ILO Working Papers 994672123402676, International Labour Organization.
    6. Enock Nyorekwa Twinoburyo & Nicholas M Odhiambo, 2018. "Can Monetary Policy drive economic growth? Empirical evidence from Tanzania," Contemporary Economics, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw., vol. 12(2), June.
    7. Zuzana Brixiová & Léonce Ndikumana, 2011. "Supporting Africa’s Post-Crisis Growth: The Role of Macroeconomic Policies," Working Papers wp254, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
    8. Nana Kwame Akosah & Francis W. Loloh & Maurice Omane-Adjepong, 2018. "Justifying the Adoption and Relevance of Inflation Targeting Framework: A Time-Varying Evidence from Ghana," Papers 1805.11562, arXiv.org.
    9. Epstein, Gerald., 2015. "Development central banking : a review of issues and experiences," ILO Working Papers 994881283402676, International Labour Organization.
    10. Valli, Mohammed & Masih, Mansur, 2014. "Is there any causality between inflation and FDI in an ‘inflation targeting’ regime? Evidence from South Africa," MPRA Paper 60246, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Ndoricimpa Arcade, 2017. "Working Paper 249 - Threshold Effects of Inflation on Economic Growth in Africa: Evidence from a Dynamic Panel Threshold Regression," Working Paper Series 2359, African Development Bank.
    12. Ahmet Benlialper & Hasan Cömert, 2016. "Implicit asymmetric exchange rate peg under inflation targeting regimes: the case of Turkey," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 40(6), pages 1553-1580.
    13. Oluwatosin Adeniyi & Festus O. Egwaikhide, 2013. "Saving-Investment Nexus In Developing Countries: Does Financial Development Matter?," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 38(2), pages 119-140, June.
    14. Senbeta, Sisay, 2011. "How applicable are the new keynesian DSGE models to a typical low-income economy?," MPRA Paper 30931, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. repec:ilo:ilowps:488128 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Roseline Nyakerario Misati & Esman Morekwa Nyamongo & Lucas Kamau Njoroge & Sheila Kaminchia, 2012. "Feasibility of inflation targeting in an emerging market: evidence from Kenya," Journal of Financial Economic Policy, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 4(2), pages 146-159, May.
    17. Mr. Arto Kovanen, 2011. "Does Money Matter for Inflation in Ghana?," IMF Working Papers 2011/274, International Monetary Fund.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sub-Saharan Africa; inflation; development; monetary policy; finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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