On the Nonlinear Effects of Globalization on Poverty: Insights from African Countries

Abstract

The study examines both the linear and nonlinear effects of globalization in 38 African countries between 1996 and 2018. In doing this, the study employs both linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag estimation techniques. The findings from the two approaches show that globalization reduces poverty in Africa. Specifically, the findings from the symmetric models imply that the selected countries have benefited, in terms of poverty reduction, from an increase in trade and information flows occasioned by the current wave of globalization. On the other hand, the results from the asymmetric effect of globalization on poverty suggest that positive and negative shocks in overall and social globalization ameliorate poverty in the selected African countries. Thus, the study recommends that African governments should embark on those activities that will help in increasing the level of globalization for poverty to reduce in the region.