Threats and Vulnerabilities of the Banking System to Money Laundering in the Arab Maghreb: Lessons from a Regional Sectoral Assessment

This research paper conducts a sectoral assessment of the threats and vulnerabilities faced by the banking systems of the Arab Maghreb—specifically Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, and Mauritania—regarding money laundering and terrorist financing. The main objective is to identify and compare structural and operational weaknesses across the region’s banking sectors, with a focus on internal controls, regulatory compliance, and the effectiveness of supervisory frameworks. The study hypothesizes that institutional fragmentation, inconsistent supervision, and insufficient risk management contribute significantly to these vulnerabilities. Methodologically, the research employs a qualitative comparative approach, drawing on national sectoral risk assessments, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, and a review of regulatory and institutional frameworks, structured around the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) methodology. Key findings reveal a moderately high level of vulnerability within the Maghreb banking sector, driven by deficiencies in beneficial ownership identification, inconsistent regulatory enforcement, limited technological and analytical capacity, and insufficient staff training. High-risk areas include large-scale cash transactions, politically exposed persons, real estate, and the use of digital and crypto-asset channels. The study also highlights the impact of the informal economy, transnational organized crime, and weak trade oversight as external risk factors. Notably, the risk-based approach (RBA) has yet to be fully institutionalized, and supervision remains largely compliance-based rather than risk-sensitive.The implications of these findings underscore the urgency of strengthening internal controls, adopting advanced technological solutions, enhancing staff training, and modernizing regulatory frameworks in line with international standards. Recommendations emphasize the need for improved inter-authority coordination, adoption of risk-based supervision, and greater regional and international cooperation to mitigate evolving money laundering and terrorist financing threats. The research concludes that aligning Maghreb banking systems with global best practices is essential for enhancing financial integrity and resilience

Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods Vulnerability Assessment of Sudan and Nigeria

This paper focuses on climate change vulnerability and its impact on rural livelihoods in Nigeria and Sudan, utilizing the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) to analyze selected environmental, economic and social factors that affect agricultural productivity and social wellbeing. Utilizing a quantitative research design which bases itself on a positivist paradigm, the research investigates secondary data from the period of 2000 to 2023 sourced from World Bank and applies Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) technique preventing serial correlation and endogeneity with mixed integration orders. The study establishes that climate change vulnerability along with the impacts, especially in Nigeria and Sudan, exacerbates livelihood insecurity, thus highlighting the importance of climate-resilient practices such as using drought-tolerant crops, agroforestry, sustainable land management, and clean energy technologies like solar water pumping and rural electrification. Potential suggestions include strengthening measures of social inclusion, developing environmentally friendly forms of financing, and improving disaster preparedness to mitigate climate shocks. Indeed, the research’s reliance on quantitative data to establish clear numerical patterns stresses that future works need to address the qualitative knowledge gap, diversify the geographical setting and discuss community-level adaptation initiatives while offering the strategy for the development of sustainable livelihoods affected by climate change

Evaluation of Food Security Developments in the Arab Countries: An Analysis Based on Global food security Indicators (2010–2022)

This paper evaluates the developments in food security across Arab countries during the period 2010–2022, drawing on the four dimensions outlined in the Global Food Security Index: availability, affordability, quality and safety, and resilience. The study highlights the critical role of food security in achieving economic and social stability, particularly in a region highly exposed to external shocks, climate change, and geopolitical tensions. Despite notable progress in some areas, the findings reveal persistent disparities among Arab countries, especially in terms of affordability and resilience. The analysis also underscores the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, investment in infrastructure, and enhanced regional cooperation to ensure long-term food security. Based on the results, the study offers a set of policy recommendations to strengthen food systems, improve nutritional outcomes, and reduce vulnerability to future crises

Studying the impact of the Green Deal on the EU economy using Gradient Boosting Algorithm

 This study aims to assess the impact of the European Green Deal on the EU economy by employing a Gradient Boosting Algorithm to analyze the influence of various environmental policies. The study utilizes simulated monthly data derived from annual statistics provided by official sources such as the IEA, Eurostat, ILO, and the European Commission. A machine learning model—Gradient Boosting—is implemented to examine the predictive relationships between economic indicators such as environmental taxes, green infrastructure investment, renewable energy, and green employment on industrial output.     Results indicate that environmental taxes are the most influential factor affecting industrial performance, followed by green infrastructure and renewable energy investment. Green innovation funding and green employment show lesser impact. The Gradient Boosting model demonstrates strong predictive accuracy with an R² score of 0.930. Policymakers should consider balancing fiscal regulations with incentive-based green investment strategies. Greater support for green innovation and employment training is essential to enhance long-term sustainability

Determinants of Economic Growth in D-8 Countries: The Role of Financial Integration, Human Development, and Climate Change

This study investigates the primary determinants of economic growth in D-8 countries by examining the roles of financial integration, human development, and climate change. Using a panel dataset covering the period from 2002 to 2022, we apply both dynamic system GMM and quantile regression techniques to account for heterogeneity, endogeneity, and distributional differences in growth responses. Our findings indicate that financial integration does not have a consistently significant effect on growth, suggesting that its potential benefits are conditional on domestic absorptive capacities and institutional quality. In contrast, human development emerges as a key driver of economic growth, although its short-term impact appears muted in some specifications. Environmental indicators confirm a nonlinear relationship consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), wherein emissions initially rise with income but decline beyond a threshold. These results underscore the importance of strategic policy alignment ensuring that financial openness supports productive investment, human capital development is prioritized, and climate policies are integrated into growth agendas

Reading the reality of business incubators and emerging institutions in the United States of America, the People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom

  This study aims to analyze the reality of business incubators and emerging institutions in three global economic powers: the United States of America, the People's Republic of China, and the United Kingdom, by comparing policies, infrastructure, services provided, and economic performance of these systems, This study highlights that the success of business incubators is not only measured by infrastructure or financing, but by the integration of government policies, cooperation between universities and the private sector, and the cultural environment that motivates leadership. The three experiences are reference models that developing countries can benefit from to design support systems for emerging institutions towards achieving sustainable development and knowledge -based economy

Editorial : The December 2025 issue of the International Journal of Economic Performance presents 26 articles focusing on critical global themes

Editorial The December 2025 issue of the International Journal of Economic Performance presents 26 articles focusing on critical global themes The editorial of this issue was written by Saïd SOUAM, Professor of Economics, Paris Nanterre University (EconomiX) (France) . Associate Editor of the journal

Exploring the role of social enterprises in improving local development in the Philippines : DOCHSEi’s case

This research investigates the role of social enterprises in fostering local development in the Philippines, with a particular focus on the Davao Oriental Coco Husk Social Enterprise, Inc. (DOCHSEi). The study aims to elucidate how social enterprises, especially those in which the poor are principal stakeholders (SEPPS), contribute to economic, social, and environmental development at the local level. Employing a case study methodology combined with qualitative analysis of secondary data, the paper examines DOCHSEi’s initiatives in transforming coconut husk waste into value-added, eco-friendly products, thereby creating employment opportunities for marginalized groups and promoting sustainable community development.Key findings reveal that DOCHSEi significantly contributes to local development by generating jobs, reducing poverty, empowering women and youth, and mitigating environmental degradation through innovative waste management. The enterprise’s activities have enhanced social inclusion, increased household incomes, and provided a model for sustainable, community-led economic growth. However, the research also identifies critical challenges, including limited access to financing, regulatory hurdles, and the need for greater ecosystem support.The study concludes that social enterprises like DOCHSEi are vital catalysts for inclusive growth and poverty alleviation in the Philippines. It underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, policy support, and sustainable business models in scaling the impact of social enterprises. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and social entrepreneurs seeking to leverage social innovation for local development

Economics & 5IR model: Towards a competitive and sustainable economic path

  The objectives of this study are to identify the 5I- revolution in terms of the concepts and the main pillars on which it is based, in addition to pointing out the fundamental differences between the previous industrial revolutions. To achieve these objectives, a descriptive method is employed with its analytical tools.  The findings revealed that, there is a direct impact on the economy as a key through the development of productivity (smart production) based on technology and data in design. Besides, accessing the sustainability model, human resources and machine and achieving sustainable economic growth are important features in building a smart economy. To sum up, The 5.0 is key to the global economy, it is suggested to develop human resources (smart HR), use of automation in the economy (operations & process) and achieve integration between Sustainability & HR

Digital Transformation in the European Union Countries Member of G7 - An Analytical Study-

This study aims to determine the status of digital transformation in the European Union (EU) countries that are members of the Group of Seven (G7). This study focuses on analyzing statistical data issued by a European statistical agency (Eurostat). To detail the aspects of the study, we use the deductive method to describe the theoretical concepts related to digital transformation in addition to the inductive method to explain the data related to digital transformation in the EU countries that are members of the G7. The study found that Germany is ahead of France and Italy in all digital transformation technologies as well as allocating more budgets and training programs for employee training than France and Italy