Cross-Location Analysis of the Impact of Household Socioeconomic Status on Participation in Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in West Africa

This study explores the relation between household socioeconomic status (SES) and participation in urban and periurban agriculture (UPA) in three West African cities. We used a structured questionnaire to survey 700 randomly selected households: 250 in Kano, Nigeria, 250 in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, and 200 in Sikasso, Mali. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied on household asset variables to create an index of assets which was used as a proxy for household SES. The results showed no significant differences in households’ rate of participation in UPA across socioeconomic groups. Participation in UPA was rather significantly (P < 0.001) and positively related to household size. Interestingly, the analysis revealed that field crop cultivation and gardening were more common among households in the low and medium SES groups while those in the high SES group were more likely to keep livestock

Public debt and growth in selected West African countries: Implications for economic integration

Based on an eclectic approach, we examined the public debt – growth nexus in selected SSA countries. Panel regression results indicate that debt/GDP and rates of inflation had negative relationship with the growth in real GDP and its per capita measure for SSA. For the ECOWAS countries, debt/GDP was  positively related to growth in real GDP and its per capita measure while rate of inflation had a negative relationship. The global economic crisis had no impact on the debt-growth link in the ECOWAS countries. For economic  integration and eventual monetary union to be sustainable, countries in ECOWAS must ensure fiscal prudence in the management of their economies.Keywords: Public debt, economic integration, debt sustainability, West AfricaJEL Classification: F34; H6; F1