Law and Economy

Implications of Diversification on Financial Performance of Financial Institutions in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC)

2025-06-06T11:54:56+00:00

This paper sought to investigate the effect of diversification on the financial performance of financial institutions in the CEMAC region. Data for the study was collected from COBAC National Bureau of Statistics website, BEAC and the World Bank Statistics reports regarding the activities of financial institutions in the region for the period 2000 to 2021. The collated data was run with the aid of STATA software version 13.0. The researcher used regression analysis (PCSE, PanelGLS) to investigate the effect of diversification (liquid asset to cash, non-interest income to total income, inflation, non-bank financial institution and LGDP) on the financial performance of financial institutions in the region. Finally, Driscool-Kraay regression technique was used to investigate the influence of diversification on competition among these financial institutions. The findings from the PCSE regression showed that diversification explained 56.4% (R² = 0.564) of the variation in financial performance. In conclusion, it was revealed by the regression analysis that diversification had a significant effect on the financial performance of financial institutions in the region. The findings suggest that policymakers should carefully consider the implications of incentivizing banks to increase their lending to government and state owned enterprises. While such policies might aim to support national development goals, they can inadvertently lead to detrimental effects on the financial sector’s health. The study recommends that the emphasis on liquidity aligns with regulatory frameworks that mandate certain liquidity ratios, such as those outlined in Basel III. Maintaining higher liquidity positions helps banks meet regulatory requirements and avoid penalties, which can be financially detrimental.

An Assessment of the Mechanisms for the Protection of Traders in International Trade Disputes

2025-06-06T11:57:09+00:00

International trade functions as a crucial engine of economic development, propelling growth, innovation, and the transnational exchange of goods and services. By enabling nations to leverage their comparative advantages through specialized production, it bolsters efficiency and fuels economic expansion. This study analyzes the safeguards available to protect traders embroiled in international trade disputes. Tracing the evolution of international trade from rudimentary bartering systems to the sophisticated architecture of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the analysis illuminates the enduring quest for a stable and efficient trading regime. Notwithstanding the WTO’s endeavors, trade disputes remain prevalent, exposing the precarious position of traders in cross-border transactions. This study posits that sound protective mechanisms are indispensable, given traders’ function as both risk mitigators and facilitators of market efficiency. The research also recommends for proactive preventative measures, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and amplified collaboration among stakeholders.

Combating Climate Change to Promote the Right to Health in Cameroon: A Legal Appraisal of Practical Measures and Conundrums Faced

2025-06-19T09:59:15+00:00

Climate change has in the 21st Century been regarded not only as an environmental concern but also as a public health emergency. In contemporary times, almost all members of the international community including Cameroon have been grappling with the scourge of climate change. Even with Cameroon’s efforts to counteract climate change, the consequences of the phenomenon are still evident, with the right to health suffering greatly. Findings of this paper reveal that despite the level of success recorded by the State of Cameroon in the fight against climate change, several challenges have over the years been faced. These challenges have in various ways hampered on the effective fight against climate change to promoting the right to health in Cameroon. Findings of this paper further reveal the fundamental role played by State courts in the pursuit of environmental protection, specifically the fight against climate change in Cameroon in a bid to protect and promote the right to health. In view of the challenges faced in the fight against climate change, the paper makes several recommendations including: the education and sensitisation of the Cameroonian populace; the harmonisation of environmental legislation and the promotion of cooperation amongst environment actors in Cameroon.

An ARDL Approach on Fintech and Economic Growth in Nigeria

2025-07-01T23:42:44+00:00

The purpose of the study was to examine fintech and economic growth in Nigeria Economy. This study adopted the ex-post facto research design to collect data and analyse the study’s variables since the variables are after facts. Time-series quarterly data were collected on the variables from the CBN statistical bulletin from 2012 to 2021 on financial technology transaction channels such as ATM, POST, internet banking and mobile technology and economic growth. The study employed ARDL techniques to establish the effect of financial technology on economic growth. Based on the results, it was revealed that ATM has a negative and an insignificant impact on economic growth in Nigeria, MOB has a positive and an insignificant effect on economic growth in Nigeria, INB has an insignificant and a positive impact on the current value of economic growth in Nigeria. Lastly, further findings showed that changes in the current of POS have an insignificant and a negative impact on economic growth in Nigeria. The study recommended that ATM should be reduced by way of introducing additional security in form biometric of security question before transactions are approved. Finally, internet technology should be prevented by prompting the e-banking system to challenge the user to provide additional security questions or code generation with the physical device.

How the End of Negative Rates Boosted Demand for Fixed-Term Deposits in the Eurozone

2025-07-01T23:47:02+00:00

This paper examines how the European Central Bank’s (ECB) decision to end its negative interest rate policy in 2022 catalyzed a sharp increase in demand for fixed-term deposits across the Eurozone. Drawing on macroeconomic theory, behavioral finance, and empirical data from the ECB and national central banks, the study explores the mechanisms through which interest rate normalization reshaped depositor incentives and restructured the funding profiles of banks. The analysis highlights how the reintroduction of positive nominal and real deposit rates restored the traditional liquidity–yield trade-off, prompting households and firms to re-engage with term deposit products after a decade of distortionary monetary policy. The findings underscore the role of interest rate policy in influencing savings behavior, monetary transmission, and banking system stability, and offer critical insights into the long-term implications of unconventional monetary policy regimes.

An Evaluation of the Management of Solid Waste in the Town of Limbe and Buea: Non-Legal Measures

2025-07-10T09:51:49+00:00

This study critically evaluates the management of solid waste in the towns of Limbe and Buea, Cameroon, with a specific focus on non-legal measures. The increasing volume of solid waste in these urban centers, driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption patterns, poses significant environmental, public health, and aesthetic challenges. While legislative frameworks exist at national and municipal levels to address waste management, their implementation has been largely insufficient, prompting the need to examine alternative or complementary strategies outside the legal domain. The research investigates the effectiveness of non-legal measures—such as public awareness campaigns, community-based initiatives, educational programs, private sector participation, informal sector involvement, and the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—in promoting sustainable waste management practices. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining field observations, unstructured interviews of stakeholders, and secondary data analysis to assess how these measures are operationalized in both towns. Findings reveal that while the legal infrastructure remains underutilized, non-legal interventions have played a crucial role in mitigating waste-related issues. Community mobilization efforts in neighborhoods, school-based sensitization campaigns, and partnerships with waste collection firms have yielded varying degrees of success in improving waste disposal habits and reducing environmental degradation. However, the study also uncovers critical limitations such as poor coordination among stakeholders, inconsistent funding, limited technical expertise, and a lack of long-term strategic planning. The research concludes that although non-legal measures cannot fully substitute for robust legal enforcement, they provide essential and often more adaptable mechanisms to engage communities and stakeholders in waste management. It recommends a hybrid approach that strengthens these grassroots initiatives while simultaneously improving the legal and institutional frameworks to foster a more sustainable and inclusive waste management system in Limbe and Buea.