Comparative Analysis of Growth Convergence in Selected West African Countries

Abstract

This paper analyses the β-convergence process of West African countries with a focus on Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo. It has been motivated by the apparent persistence of income gap between West African countries. To achieve the objective of the study, we use both descriptive statistics and econometric approach. The study covers the time period of 27 years (1990-2017). The results show the absence of a unit steady state for the region and do not confirm neoclassical theory’s predictions. Rather, it shows the existence of club convergence in West Africa. Also, lower-income countries such as Benin and Togo have lower steady-state income compared to Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.

Socio-cultural and economic factors affecting the choice of food diet in West Africa: a two‑stage Heckman approach

“…Moreover, the income varies significantly among the studied region and depends on the periods and activities. For example, Semanou and Uslu [41] stated that lower-income countries such as Benin and Togo have lower steady-state incomes than Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. In addition, the revenue in West Africa is disequalized by population density, natural resources dependence, domestic investment rate, government consumption expenditure, trade openness, inward foreign direct investment, international remittances, and civil conflicts [42].…”