Financial Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

World Bank Discussion Paper No. 260F. French edition ("Systémes financiers en Afrique sub-saharienne: Etude comparative"). Analyzes and compares the performance of 11 financial systems of Anglophone and Francophone countries in Sub- Saharan Africa during the 1980s and early 1990s. The extent to which an economy benefits from its financial systems depends largely on the quantity and quality of their services and the efficiency with which they provide them. The steady deterioration of...
More Description

World Bank Discussion Paper No. 260F. French edition ("Systémes financiers en Afrique sub-saharienne: Etude comparative"). Analyzes and compares the performance of 11 financial systems of Anglophone and Francophone countries in Sub- Saharan Africa during the 1980s and early 1990s. The extent to which an economy benefits from its financial systems depends largely on the quantity and quality of their services and the efficiency with which they provide them. The steady deterioration of the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa that began during the 1980s adversely affected the region's financial systems and caused financial distress in a number of countries. To restore economic growth, many of these countries initiated structural adjustment programs that included components aimed at stabilizing and reforming the financial system. This report analyzes and compares financial systems in 11 Anglophone and Francophone countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, following their evolution during the 1980s and early 1990s. The comparisons focus on four areas: 1) monetary management, 2) banking sector performance, 3) development of financial markets, and 4)informal financial mechanisms and instruments. The study makes recommendations that are applicable to most Sub- Saharan financial systems. Also available in English: (ISBN 0-8213-2996-0) Stock No. 12996.