Stock market development and capital formation in selected African economies

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to explore the possibility that securities markets in selected African countries of Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa play a significant role in capital accumulation using panel data analysis. This is done by exploring the relationship between gross fixed capital formation on the one hand and financial market development indicators on the other hand. Thus, the study aims to examine if stock market size and liquidity are determinants of capital accumulation.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on annual times series from 1991 through 2017 spanning four African stock markets. The analysis utilizes the fixed-effect and random-effect econometric models. The Durbin–Wu–Hausman test is used to choose between the two models.FindingsThe key results indicate that stock market capitalization is a positive determinant of gross fixed capital formation. The market value traded and turnover have no relationship with capital formation. Therefore, the role of stock African stock markets in promoting capital accumulation and, subsequently, industrial growth in Africa is seriously questioned.Originality/valueOnly a handful of studies have examined the role of the African securities market in promoting capital accumulation. This study is unique in which it focuses on the leading stock markets in the four corners of Africa. The markets are from Egypt in the north, South Africa from the south, Nigeria from the west and Kenya from the east. These four markets account for a significant segment of all African markets.