COVID-19 and Market Response: Evidence From Listed Firms in Tanzania and Kenya

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of COVID-19 on the financial performance of listed firms in the financial and consumer goods industries in Tanzania and Kenya. The choice of Tanzania and Kenya as focal points is motivated by their contrasting responses to the pandemic and their roles as economic powerhouses in the region. Using data from the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange and Nairobi Stock Exchange spanning the period from 2015 to 2022, the study employs the Dynamic panel-data model, the two-step system GMM, to quantify the impact of the pandemic. The research has two specific objectives: to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on the financial performance of listed firms in the financial industry and to assess its impact on the consumer goods industry in both countries. Key findings reveal that in the financial sector, firms showed resilience with a positive impact on profitability during the pandemic, driven by the adoption of digital financial services and effective risk management. In contrast, the consumer goods sector experienced a significant negative impact, highlighting severe disruptions in supply chains and consumer demand. Notably, firms in Tanzania outperformed those in Kenya, due to less restrictive COVID-19 measures. These findings suggest policymakers should support digital innovations, prudent leveraging, and economic growth to sustain and improve firm profitability during future disruptions.