Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Simeon Coleman
Title: Inflation persistence in the Franc Zone: evidence from disaggregated prices
Abstract:In sub-Saharan Africa, where inflation persistence is likely to have deleterious
welfare consequences, little attempt has been made to study this phenomenon.
Using data over 1989:11-2002:09, this paper investigates persistence in disaggre-
gated (food and non-food) inflation for thirteen Communaute Financiere Africaine
(CFA) member states using fractional integration (FI) methods. The results show
that both inflation series are characterized by mean-reversion and finite variance,
however it also exposes some asymmetry in inflation persistence across member
states in both sectors. In Chad and Niger, the phenomenon is found to exist in
both sectors. With uniform monetary policy across member states, implications
for Monetary Policy, Nominal Convergence and Optimal Currency Area are then
discussed.
File-URL: http://www.ntu.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/310302/Inflation-persistence-in-the-franc-zone.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2008
Creation-Date: 2008-11
Classification-JEL: C22, E31, E32
Keywords: Fractional integration, inflation persistence, Franc Zone
Handle: RePEc:nbs:wpaper:2008/16