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A general conception is that investment induces economic growth, but there is still debate over which type of investment contributes more to economic growth. The disaggregation of investment into public and private components allows estimation of the impact of the two types of investments on economic growth. This research, therefore, empirically estimates the relationship between each investment component against economic growth by constructing panel data for Ghana and Kenya from 1991 to 2022. The empirical strategy adopted in this study can be divided into three major stages. First, the LLC unit root test in the panel series is undertaken. Second, if integrated in the same order, a Kao co-integration test is conducted. Finally, if the series is co-integrated, the vector of cointegration in the long run is estimated using the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) method. Our estimation results, based on the panel cointegration approach confirm a long-run relationship between the study variables. Further analysis shows that public investment can promote economic growth in the long run. In contrast, the results indicate that private investment can obstruct growth. The study has shown that private investment did not always increase economic growth in Ghana and Kenya. The study findings indicate that public investment is more efficiently allocated in Ghana and Kenya than private investment, suggesting the best economic strategy is for private investment to be complementary and promote higher public investment to improve public sector productivity. Therefore, policymakers should focus on creating a favourable investment climate, providing fiscal stimulus and promoting public-private partnerships to enhance infrastructure development and stimulate private -sector investment, which can sustain long-term economic growth.

A general conception is that investment induces economic growth, but there is still debate over which type of investment contributes more to economic growth. The disaggregation of investment into public and private components allows estimation of the impact of the two types of investments on economic growth. This research, therefore, empirically estimates the relationship between each investment component against economic growth by constructing panel data for Ghana and Kenya from 1991 to 2O22. The empirical strategy adopted in this study can be divided into three major stages. First, the LLC unit root test in the panel series is undertaken. Second, if integrated in the same order, a Kao co-integration test is conducted. Finally, if the series is co-integrated, the vector of cointegration in the long run is estimated using the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) method. Our estimation results, based on the panel cointegration approach confirm a long-run relationship between the study variables. Further analysis shows that public investment can promote economic growth in the long run. In contrast, the results indicate that private investment can obstruct growth. The study has shown that private investment did not always increase economic growth in Ghana and Kenya. The study findings indicate that public investment is more efficiently allocated in Ghana and Kenya than private investment, suggesting the best economic strategy is for private investment to be complementary and promote higher public investment to improve public sector productivity. Therefore, policymakers should focus on creating a favourable investment climate, providing fiscal stimulus and promoting public-private partnerships to enhance infrastructure development and stimulate private -sector investment, which can sustain long-term economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prospect of decoupling economic development from CO2 emissions in Ghana is examined in this paper, with an emphasis on the manufacturing, export, and adoption of renewable energy sectors. The paper investigates the long-term and short-term correlations among CO2 emissions, renewable energy consumption (RNE), population growth (POP), manufacturing value-added (MVA), Economic growth (GDP), and exports (EXP) using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing method using time series data from 1990 to 2020. The outcomes show that the variables are long-term cointegrating. Long-term GDP and CO2 emissions show a positive but negligible correlation, whereas exports show a negative and insignificant correlation. In the near term, using renewable energy has a markedly undesirable consequence on releases, yet, over time, the connection is positive and negligible. Because the turning point when economic expansion results in lower emissions is not apparent, the Environmental Kuznets Curve concept is not entirely substantiated. The report emphasizes how specific laws encouraging the use of renewable energy, environmentally friendly export and manufacturing processes, and technical advancements are necessary to help Ghana move toward a low-carbon economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article empirically examines the fiscal policy elements affecting economic growth in 27 European countries and Switzerland (Without the United Kingdom). The research objective is to estimate the impact of macroeconomic variables such as tax revenue, government expenditure and public debt on the economic development of 28 European countries. The study employs a panel ordinary least squares (POLS) technique with a fixed effect estimation method. The Hausman test was applied to support the validity of the fixed effect over the random effect estimation model. Annual secondary data for the period 1995-2020 were used, including 728 observations. Based on the results, it may be inferred that the increase in government expenditure and tax revenue leads to an increase in economic growth in 28 EU countries. However, the higher rates of public debt lead to a decrease in economic growth. From the standpoint of fiscal policy, we conclude that Keynesian theory in the 28 EU countries was present. The study has empirically established the importance of fiscal policy tools in European countries. The study calls for the establishment of moderate fiscal policy strategies that would help ensure solvency and stimulate economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied a logistic regression model to determine the odds ratio of selecting clean versus unclean energy as the main household fuel choice. This study also undertook to establish the coefficients of the factors determining household fuel energy choice. A large microeconomic dataset from KIPPRA's comprehensive study and analysis on fuel use patterns in Kenya (2010) was employed to carry out the analysis. This study employed a multinomial logit regression model to determine the fuel choices and patterns of cooking fuels in urban Kenyan households. The results showed that in addition to income, there are several socio-demographic factors such as education, gender, and age that were important in determining household fuel choice. To encourage clean fuel use, the authorities should carry out public education campaigns, and ensure the availability of these fuels in all areas to avoid harmful effects of biomass fuels and kerosene, and more modern and efficient appliances should be made available at affordable rates to ensure more efficient use of these forms of clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroeconomic convergence is critical for member states to achieve the level of harmonization required for establishing a stable and resilient monetary union. The East African Community (EAC) member states, therefore, established set targets for macroeconomic convergence, intending to eliminate exchange rate uncertainty within the bloc and reduce the costs of the monetary union. However, recent empirical studies indicate that the rate of convergence of the member states to the set macroeconomic targets has been very slow, resulting in high exchange rate uncertainty within the region. It is against this backdrop that this research was conceptualized to examine the influence of convergence in macroeconomic variables on the exchange rate uncertainty of EAC states using secondary panel data. The study made use of standard deviation and the Levin Lin Chu (LLC) test to determine convergence and unit root respectively. The panel ordinary least squares (OLS) regression findings showed that all the explanatory variables had a negatively significant effect on exchange rate uncertainty. This implies that convergence in macroeconomic variables among the member countries slows exchange rate uncertainty. Thus, policy should be made towards controlling this negative effect resulting from macroeconomic variables as East Africa bids for monetary union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are hosts of dynamics contributing to financial inclusion. These sources may be both from the demand side and supply side. The government and financial institutions use several policy initiatives to encourage the supply of financial services to the excluded sector. However, the demand-side factors of financial access have attracted little focus. This study provides an overview of sources of financial inclusion and highlights the policy measures from the perspective of consumers of financial services - also known as the demand-side. The secondary series data were estimated using the ordinary least square method. The findings of the study indicate that economic growth and the number of internet users exert a positive and significant effect on financial access in East Africa. On the other hand, the result indicates that the deposit interest rate was insignificant. The study recommends the deposit interest rate be made attractive to promote continuous saving and access to loanable funds in the financial market. The policy strategies therefore should be aimed at cultivating a conducive financial system that upholds financial access-demand-driven rates to stimulate financial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiscal transfer development across the world today has been in part driven by assertions of a supposed 'economic dividend' linked with the devolved financial spending. There is, however, little empirical evidence to validate these assertions in Kenya. It is against this background that this study was carried out to estimate the end product of fiscal transfer on regional economic growth in Kenya using a secondary panel data set. Using the ARDL estimation technique the long -run and error correction estimates of the model were generated. The findings revealed that increased fiscal transfer in recurrent budgets accelerates regional growth, hence confirming the Keynesian hypothesis. Conversely, fiscal transfer in capital expenditure was insignificant. This study recommends the need for policymakers to put in place policies and strategies that will improve budget allocation and execution in capital budgets so as to improve physical infrastructure and thus boost private productivity and consequently regional income growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, assuming a balanced budget, attempts to estimate the optimal size of devolved government expenditure in 47 Kenyan counties using the panel ARDL regression and Scully (2008) model for the period 2014-2018. The estimation model examined Armey's idea of a quadratic curve that explains the level of government expenditure in an economy and the corresponding level of economic growth. The panel ARDL series analysis reveals that devolved government size is optimized when county expenditures stand at 9.7% of GCP (Gross County Product). The estimated threshold size is higher than the current size of county government in Kenya. The low level of devolved government size in counties reflects the low level of economic activities in Counties. This study therefore recommends that county governments should increase its spending budget on infrastructure, social and economic activities to 9.7% of GCP to stimulate overall county economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]