Real exchange rate behaviour and non-oil export growth in Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyses the effects of real exchange rate behaviour in terms of misalignment and volatility, on the growth of non-oil exports in Nigeria. It employs two alternative measures of real exchange rate misalignment, one based on deviations from Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and the other on a model estimate of equilibrium real exchange rate (RER). Under both frameworks, RER volatility is defined in terms of its coefficient of variations. The results show that, irrespective of the misalignment generating framework adopted, both RER misalignment and volatility adversely affect the country's non-oil export growth. However, the results under the model based approach appear to be more robust.

African Journal of Economic Policy Vol. 11(1) 2004: 69-89