Financial Development, Economic Growth and Agenda (2063) of the African Union
Organized by the Private Sector Development Research Network
Hosted by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
Moderated by Francis Kemeze, Principal Research Economist, AfDB
Friday, 6th of December 2024 from 9-10am EST / 1-2pm Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire
LINK TO JOIN WILL BE POSTED HERE SOON
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
This seminar will discuss a paper on financial development and its impact on Africa’s Agenda 2063. This research evaluates how financial development can accelerate the achievement of key Agenda 2063 objectives, particularly focusing on income per capita growth and domestic resource mobilization for continental development. The study, spanning 1995-2017, employs a system generalized method of moments (SGMM) to analyze panel data. Its findings indicate that promoting financial development can speed up the achievement of key Agenda (2063) expected transformational outcomes including the continent’s real per capita income growth and life improvement. This seminar presents an opportunity to explore a valuable contribution to the empirical literature on Agenda 2063, offering fresh insights into Africa’s developmental trajectory.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Toussaint Houeninvo
Chief Country Economist, African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Zambia Country Office
Dr. Toussaint Houeninvo is the Chief Country Economist at the African Development Bank Group. His research interests span finance and growth, regional integration, public spending and poverty reduction, as well as market governance and growth. Dr. Houeninvo is skilled in various economic methodologies, including CGE modeling, panel data analysis, and GMM techniques.
Currently, he is spearheading a project on digitalization and growth in Africa. Dr. Houeninvo’s expertise encompasses macroeconomics, economic growth, applied economics, economic policy analysis, and panel data econometrics. He is also well-versed in trade and regional integration, public finance management, and economic development.
With his extensive background in African economics and development, Dr. Houeninvo contributes valuable insights to policy discussions and research in the field. His work at the African Development Bank Group plays a crucial role in shaping economic strategies across the continent.
Germain LANKOANDE
PhD Candidate, National School of Statistics and Applied Economics (ENSEA)
Germain Lankoande is a dedicated economist and researcher specializing in financial development in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on the WAEMU zone. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Economics at the École Nationale Supérieure de Statistique et d’Economie Appliquée (ENSEA) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. His research interests center on private sector financing, especially the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accessing external funding.
Germain holds a Master’s degree in Statistical and Econometric Methods from Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar, Senegal. He has further enriched his expertise through various professional experiences, including a research fellowship at the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) and a consultancy role with Africa Label Group.
With a strong academic background and practical experience in economic analysis and project management, Germain is committed to contributing to the financial development and economic growth of the African continent.