A Typology Of Foreign Exchange Auction Markets In Sub Saharan Africa

Inflation could rise permanently and substantially as a result of unifying official and black market exchange rates, even if real government spending remains constant.

The IMF Working Papers series is designed to make IMF staff research available to a wide audience. Almost 300 Working Papers are released each year, covering a wide range of theoretical and analytical topics, including balance of payments, monetary and fiscal issues, global liquidity, and national and international economic developments.

The paper provides an analysis of the mechanisms for foreign exchange allocation used in trade policy reform and an assessment of their effectiveness. The case is strong for avoiding delay in moving to full currency convertibility in dismantling or modifying foreign exchange controls. Movement to a unified free market for exchange would be facilitated by changes in policies and in donor practice, so exchange can be channeled through private sellers.

The paper examines the experiences of nine African countries that have introduced floating exchange rate regimes in the 1980s. The various types of market arrangements are explored, focusing on the roles of market participants. After a review of exchange rate developments under the regimes, some related concerns with respect to urban income and employment, resource allocation, and short-term instability are analyzed. In the light of this analysis, the paper suggests some policy recommendations aimed at ensuring the success of the floating regimes.

The Liberalization of Foreign Exchange Markets & Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa offers an historical rationale for intervention in foreign exchange markets to promote long-term development. It also reviews exchange rate theory & balance of payments management & their application to African countries. The publication is part of the Research for Action series which discusses policy-oriented research on the main strategic issues of development & international cooperation, as well as on the interaction between domestic & global changes.