Title: Institutional Quality, Governance Failures, and the Dynamics of Persistence in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mary Yusuf Abdul, Saheed Zakaree, Anfofum Abraham alexander
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Pages: 265-280
Publication Date: 2026/05/28
Abstract:
This study examines the role of institutional quality and governance failures in the persistence of underdevelopment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using a dynamic panel dataset for the period (2000-2023), the research employs the System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM) estimator to address persistence, endogeneity, and unobserved country effects. Institutional quality is measured using composite governance indicators, while development outcomes include GDP per capita and human development indices. The findings reveal strong evidence of underdevelopment persistence and show that improvements in institutional quality significantly enhance development outcomes. In contrast, governance failures especially corruption, weak accountability, and ineffective bureaucracy negatively affect long-run development. The study underscores that sustainable development requires institutional reform alongside economic growth. By providing region-specific, dynamic evidence, it offers actionable insights for policymakers seeking to break the underdevelopment trap in Sub-Saharan Africa.