Institutional challenges for effective banking regulation and supervision in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper discusses the challenges that Sub-Saharan African countries face in implementing financial regulation

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges that Sub-Saharan African countries face in implementing financial regulation. It looks in particular at the issue of capacity (human, technical) for effective regulation and supervision. It argues that the benchmark for capacity assessment in the region is being set too high and inappropriately, and that Sub-Saharan African countries can settle on simpler rules in line with their specific needs. From this perspective, the analysis, based on a number of sources, is that Sub-Saharan Africa is making significant progress in acquiring capacity and resources, as well as gradually putting in place rules and tools for effective regulation and supervision, although challenges remain, for example regarding what capital adequacy framework to adopt and how to regulate foreign banks.

This paper is an output of the Grant “Financial regulation in low-income countries: Balancing inclusive growth with financial stability” funded by the DFID-ESRC Growth Research Programme (DEGRP).

Citation

Gottschalk, R. (2014) Institutional challenges for effective banking regulation and supervision in Sub-Saharan Africa. ODI Working paper 406

Institutional challenges for effective banking regulation and supervision in Sub-Saharan Africa

Updates to this page

Published 30 November 2014