Exploring the implications of FOREX restriction policies: Theory and new evidence
Lawrence Ogbeifun and
Olatunji Shobande
Research in Economics, 2025, vol. 79, issue 3
Abstract:
This paper examines the economic effects of foreign exchange (FOREX) restriction policy in Nigeria, using a new dataset from 2009 to 2019. Using the synthetic control method (SCM), we find that, after the policy implementation, Nigeria’s per capita GDP reduced by an average of $175.72 while inflation increased by 6.3% from 2015 to 2019 compared to the synthetic control countries without such policy. Regarding the restricted items, our results indicate that the policy led to a decrease in the trade value of imported items, except for imported processed vegetables. Furthermore, our analysis emphasizes that while the FOREX restriction policy appears to align with the Central Bank’s objective of reducing the importation of domestically producible items, it also sheds light on the consequential impacts of such policies. The observed decline in GDP per capita and the complex pattern of inflation highlight the need for a sophisticated and adaptable policy strategy. Policymakers should pay close attention to the macroeconomic dynamics and promote stability and growth in the face of changing economic conditions.
Keywords: Synthetic control; Inflation; Monetary Policy; Reserves; Foreign exchange (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C32 E31 E52 E59 F31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:
Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090944325000109
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.
Export reference: BibTeX
RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan)
HTML/Text
Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:reecon:v:79:y:2025:i:3:s1090944325000109
DOI: 10.1016/j.rie.2025.101033
Access Statistics for this article
Research in Economics is currently edited by Federico Etro
More articles in Research in Economics from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().