Effect of the Real Exchange Rate on the Sustainability of Current Account Deficits in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Sub-Saharan African countries run many current account deficits in the context of the new world economic order, namely globalization. The theoretical literature reveals that the real exchange rate improves the sustainability of the current account deficit, the effect of which may differ according to the type of exchange rate regime. Empirically, the authors are not unanimous on this issue. This paper analyses the effect of the real exchange rate on the sustainability of current account deficits in Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 1980-2016. Using a logit model applied to a panel of 38 countries and estimated using the maximum likelihood method, it appears that the depreciation of the real exchange rate has a positive effect on the sustainability of the current account deficit. This effect depends on the type of exchange regime. Under a floating exchange rate regime, the real exchange rate acts positively on the sustainability of the current account deficit when this rate is less than or equal to 250. On the other hand, under an intermediate exchange rate regime, the real exchange rate increases the sustainability of the current account deficit when the rate is between 275 and 600. In the case of the fixed exchange rate regime, the real exchange rate has a positive effect on the sustainability of the current account deficit if the rate is greater than or equal to 700. In the light of these results, the paper suggests to policymakers, the use of the real exchange rate to improve the sustainability of current account deficits. These policymakers should use real exchange rates below 250 for countries adopting a floating exchange rate regime, between 275 and 600 for the intermediate exchange rate regime, and greater than 700 for the fixed exchange rate regime.