
Is Inequality Slowing Down Africa’s Industrialization?
Author(s) -
Zogo Ekassi Richard
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of economics and public finance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2377-1046
pISSN - 2377-1038
DOI - 10.22158/jepf.v7n4p31
Subject(s) - industrialisation , panel data , inequality , robustness (evolution) , generalized method of moments , economics , economic inequality , econometrics , regression analysis , development economics , social inequality , regression , demographic economics , mathematics , statistics , gene , mathematical analysis , biochemistry , chemistry , market economy
Africa has also experienced a decline in the level of industrialization for at least three decades. Examining the dynamics of industrialization, and its effect on inequality, therefore remains a strikingly topical issue. This paper assesses the effects of industrial transformation on inequality in Africa over the period 1980-2016. Using a sample of 48 African countries, we estimate a dynamic panel data model using the Generalized Method of Moments in System (GMM-S). Our results show that strong industrialization would reduce inequality in Africa. The robustness of the results is tested using a PSTR (Panel Smooth Transition Regression) model and a PTR (Panel Transition Regression) model. The study recommends that economic, social and environmental disparities be taken into account in the process of industrial transformation on the continent.