Empirical Analysis of Demand for Real Money Balances in Africa: Panel Evidence from Nigeria and Ghana

This study investigates demand for real money balances in Africa using panel time-series data from Nigeria and Ghana between 1970 and 2014. The study employs Levin, Lin, Chu common unit root process and Pedroni Residual Cointegration Test which the results reveal that all the variables in the model are stationary and cointegrated respectively. Data sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) were analyzed using Panel Two-Stage Estimated Generalized Least Squares (cross-section Seemingly Unrelated Regression model (SURE)) with Instrumental Variables (IV). The results conform to the liquidity preference theory, with all the variables - inflation, real interest rates, and official exchange rates are statistically significant except real income. It is recommended that the monetary authorities in Africa especially the economies of Nigeria and Ghana should adopt appropriate monetary policies by placing interest rates, inflation and official exchange rates at acceptable levels to boost income through private sector investments.