Journal of African Development Studies

The Impact of Intergovernmental Transfers on Fiscal Behaviour of Local Government in Ethiopia

2024-03-06T16:18:57+00:00

This paper examines the effect of intergovernmental fiscal transfers on the fiscal behaviour of local governments in Ethiopia for the period 2004-2018. The empirical findings suggest that central government grants bolster state-level employment and expenditure. However, grants from the central government to states do not crowd out state-level revenue collection. Hence, this paper argues that fiscal decentralisation in Ethiopia has mostly, at least in theory, taken the form of devolution of the power to tax and spend public money. However, on average state-level revenue can only finance up to 26 percent of their annual expenditure. As a result, fiscal federalism in Ethiopia appears to be a delegation of spending responsibilities. It must be considered in a decentralized tax system, but with a transfer scheme and political hierarchy. The results are robust to alternative econometric estimation techniques.

Institutional Factors Influencing Urban Land Governance

2023-09-19T22:16:15+00:00

The study aims to investigate institutional factors affecting urban land governance conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It uncovers how institutions, formal and informal, shape crucial aspects of urban land governance, including land tenure. Using a mixed-methods approach, it gathered rich data from diverse stakeholders: land officials, residents (formal and informal), brokers, and land managers. Interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups revealed a positive correlation between the quality of institutions and effective land governance. Strengthening both formal and informal rules, upgrading informal settlements, digitizing land management, and regulating land brokers were identified as key steps towards a more fair and sustainable land system in the city

Investigating the Role of Law Enforcement in Preventing Environmental Crimes Related to Industrial Waste in Specific Regions of Ethiopia

2024-03-06T16:46:32+00:00

Environmental crimes related to industrial waste refer to illegal activities conducted by industrial factories that pose harm to the environment and human health. In many developing nations, law enforcement agencies underestimate the prevalence of such crimes. This study focuses on investigating the role of law enforcement institutions in preventing industrial waste-related environmental crimes within selected regions and city administrations of Ethiopia. Employing a qualitative research approach with an exploratory design, the study used key informant interviews and document analysis as data collection tools. The researchers purposively selected sample regions (Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, and Harari) and two city administrations, engaging participants from law enforcement bodies (regional police, code enforcement (Militia)), environmental protection authorities, and communities. The findings reveal that although there are national and international laws addressing industrial waste-related environmental crimes, their enforcement is limited because of a lack of awareness about the legal framework within the country. Environmental protection authorities play a significant role in enforcing environmental laws and standards compared to other law enforcement agencies. Opportunities for preventing industrial waste-related environmental crimes include existing environmental laws, community participation, stakeholders, and addressing environmental cross-cutting issues. Conversely, challenges to effective prevention include a lack of cooperation among law enforcement bodies, limited awareness about crimes, insufficient resources, and misperceptions by responsible bodies. Based on these findings, the study proposes suggestions to strengthen law enforcement agencies.

The Effect of Tax Revenue Mobilization on the Economic Growth of Ethiopia

2023-06-06T14:45:45+00:00

A study on the long run and short run effects of tax revenue mobilization on the economic growth of Ethiopia was conducted using an explanatory research design and mixed research approach. Secondary data from world development indicators spanning from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed using Auto regressive distributive lag (ARDL). The study found no long run causal relationship between taxation, different tax classifications, and economic growth in Ethiopia during the study period. However, in the short run, the current period of tax revenue had a positive and significant impact on economic growth, while a one-period lag in tax revenue had a negative and significant effect. Specifically, the one-period lag in direct tax negatively affected economic growth. Indirect tax did not show a significant effect in both the short run and long run. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the Ethiopian government and the Ministry of Revenues review the tax system and implement mechanisms to shift tax revenue sources from direct tax to indirect tax. This can be achieved by introducing strong tax collection methods and emphasizing the collection of domestic indirect tax.

Public Sector Greenness and Cleanliness in Ethiopia

2024-03-06T17:03:27+00:00

Across the globe, calls for clean, green, and environmentally sustainable public sectors are growing louder, driven by the urgent need for a sustainable society, environment, and green development. These sectors act as crucial engines, both coordinating actions and promoting accountability across the private, government, and civil society spheres. However, in the Ethiopian context, information remains scarce on how employees and customers perceive the link between sustainability, clean and green environments within the public sector, and how these environments impact employee work motivation and productivity. This study dives deep into these questions, investigating the state of sustainability ethics and green/clean public sector maintenance in Ethiopia. It examines employee awareness, the challenges of building and running such workplaces, and ultimately, the perceived effects of clean and green working environments on the Ethiopian public sector. Employing a Concurrent Mixed Methods Design, the study utilizes both quantitative surveys with employees and customers and qualitative interviews with leadership positions. The findings reveal multifaceted impacts of green and clean public services, with the most resounding theme, supported by existing research, being the direct link between sustainable workplaces and higher productivity and success. These positive effects manifest in various ways, from increased employee and customer satisfaction, enhanced commitment and productivity, and the promotion of peace and stability, to laying the foundation for a healthy and productive society.