https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/18 2026-04-29T16:20:21Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1053 Title: Determinants of renewable electricity share in a Just Energy Transition: an ARDL analysis of economic, emissions, and energy access factors. Authors: Ogujiuba, Kanayo.; Maponya, Lethabo. Abstract: The urgent need to shift to sustainable energy systems is critical for South Africa, where deep-rooted fossil fuel reliance coincides with significant socio-economic and environmental issues. Although the potential of renewable electricity for promoting decarbonization and inclusive development is acknowledged, the macroeconomic and institutional factors influencing its share in a just energy transition are still inadequately examined. This study examines the changing interactions among economic growth, carbon emissions, and energy access in shaping South Africa’s share of renewable electricity. Utilizing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing method, the analysis reflects both short-term dynamics and long-term equilibrium relations among the chosen variables. The findings indicate a statistically significant positive relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and the proportion of renewable electricity, implying that environmental decline could stimulate investments in renewables through regulatory or financial motivators. On the contrary, both GDP per capita and access to electricity show negative relationships with the share of renewable electricity, emphasizing the ongoing reliance on fossil-fuel-driven growth and centralized energy access approaches. These results reveal systemic compromises among economic growth, increased energy accessibility, and environmental sustainability. Policy suggestions highlight the incorporation of decentralized renewables into electrification initiatives, alignment of industrial strategies with green growth objectives, and enhanced institutional collaboration to promote South Africa’s equitable transition agenda. Future studies ought to broaden to comparative panel analyses throughout the Southern African area and include distributive justice metrics to guide fair energy policy development. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1052 Title: Determinants of financial distress in Nigerian deposit money banks: a panel modelling approach. Authors: Okere, Wisdom.; Ambe, Cosmas Abstract: This study examines the determinants of financial distress of listed deposit money banks (DMBs) in Nigeria from 2010 to 2022. Founded on the financial ratio theory and integrating behavioral managerial traits within the framework, the research employs a quantitative approach, using panel data from eight publicly listed DMBs and applying the panel ordinary least squares regression (Panel OLS) and robust standard errors and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) to capture long-run dynamics. Findings reveal that capital adequacy, exchange rate, and inflation rate significantly increase the likelihood of financial distress, while bank size significantly reduces financial distress due to economies of scale. The FMOLS estimates corroborate the significance of exchange rate and inflation rates while highlighting asset quality and deposit structure as key long-term determinants. GDP and liquidity ratio remain insignificant, and managerial overconfidence exerts no significant impact. The findings pinpoint that macroeconomic and firm-specific factors drive financial distress in DMBs. Therefore, policymakers are advised to strengthen capital regulation, enforce thorough asset quality controls, and implement macroeconomic policies that support growth in the financial sector. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on financial stability in Sub-Saharan Africa, offering insights for mitigating distress in emerging financial markets. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1051 Title: Corruption and economic development in the SADC region: a nonlinear panel ARDL approach. Authors: Mafeta, Lehlohonolo Godfrey.; Niyimbanira, Ferdinand. Abstract: Many African nations, particularly those within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), face significant challenges due to pervasive corruption. The impact of corruption on economic wellbeing has been scrutinised for years, with its impact ranging from economic growth and development, foreign direct investment, its impact on living standards, service delivery, and poverty levels. The existing literature presents two contrasting views: the “sand the wheels” hypothesis, which posits that corruption hampers economic development, and the “grease the wheels” hypothesis, which argues the opposite. This study seeks to determine the asymmetric impact of corruption on economic development and to model a corruption threshold that has a non-detrimental impact on economic development. Employing a nonlinear panel autoregressive distributed lag model and a panel threshold model. The study reveals that changes in corruption levels have influence on economic development, with reductions in corruption being particularly more beneficial. The findings suggest that corruption impedes development, especially when corruption levels are below a threshold of 0.64, measured by control of corruption indicators, and 41 on the corruption perception index. The results underscore the necessity of concerted efforts to combat corruption to foster improved economic development in SADC countries. This study outlines several policies for eradicating corruption. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1050 Title: Challenges faced by informal sector entrepreneurs: a focus on the street vendors at the Mbombela municipality. Authors: Masina, Ntuthuko Percy Siyabonga.; Mgoduka, Siyasanga. Abstract: countries face globally. Entrepreneurship in the informal sector accounts for 10–20% of GDP in developed countries and as much as 60% in developing countries. The informal sector in South Africa makes up roughly 5.2% of the nation's GDP and 15–17% of the total employment. Yet, research regarding the challenges that informal sector entrepreneurs encounter is still sparse, not much is known regarding ways in which these challenges can also be addressed. This qualitative study explored the challenges faced by street vendors at the Mbombela municipality. Using thematic analysis and purposive sampling, 25 street vendors were interviewed, revealing the key themes regarding the challenges encountered by informal sector entrepreneurs. The findings highlighted that the struggles of street vendors include humiliation, stigmatization, difficulties in obtaining permits due to complex procedures and educational barriers. The study also noted a lack of government support for these informal entrepreneurs. Recommendations include measures to educate street vendors on business management, technology adoption (e.g., mobile payment systems), and improving the cleanliness and safety of their operating environment. By addressing these challenges this study aims to contribute to the empowerment and development of informal sector entrepreneurship. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z