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• Open Access Article Economics

  10 Pages Download PDF: An Asymmetrical Relationship Between Oil Price Fluctuations And Geopolitical Tensions Between China And The United States

  An Asymmetrical Relationship Between Oil Price Fluctuations And Geopolitical Tensions Between China And The United States

  Abdelkader Mohamed Sghaier Derbali

  2026-02-24 https://doi.org/10.36923/ie-frontiers.v29i1.408

  Oil remains a strategic asset at the heart of contemporary geopolitical rivalries. China’s rise to become the world’s largest importer and the United States’ transformation into a major producer and exporter have profoundly altered the energy balance of power, reinforcing the interdependence between oil markets and bilateral geopolitical tensions. This article examines the existence and nature of an asymmetric relationship between oil price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, distinguishing the effects of price increases and decreases and their dependence on risk regimes. The analysis is based on monthly data covering 2000–2024 and employs a nonlinear econometric approach that combines an NARDL model for asymmetric cointegration, a Quantile VAR (QVAR) model to capture conditional effects by risk level, and an EGARCH model to analyze the asymmetric transmission of geopolitical uncertainty to oil volatility. The results show that rising oil prices significantly intensify Sino-American geopolitical tensions, while falling prices have a weaker and less persistent effect. This asymmetry is particularly pronounced during periods of high international instability. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions significantly increase oil price volatility, with a leverage effect indicating that negative geopolitical shocks have a disproportionate impact on energy markets. These results suggest that the asymmetry in the oil-geopolitical transmission reflects differentiated energy vulnerabilities and distinct strategic behaviors between China and the United States. The study underscores the importance of oil as a vector of asymmetric interdependence and as an amplifier of international tensions, with major implications for energy security policies, financial market stability, and global energy governance.

  pp. 01-10 Abstract views:790 Downloads:685

• Open Access Article Economics Digital Economy

  16 Pages Download PDF: From Peg to Float: Economic and Political Implications of the Ethiopian Birr Flotation

  From Peg to Float: Economic and Political Implications of the Ethiopian Birr Flotation

  Fentahun Admassu Yayeh

  2025-04-16 https://doi.org/10.36923/iefrontiers.v28i1.286

  The adoption of a floating exchange rate system constitutes a pivotal economic policy decision that both reflects and influences a nation’s broader political economy. The flotation of the Ethiopian Birr (ETB) marks a substantial shift in Ethiopia’s monetary policy framework, carrying significant implications for the country's macroeconomic stability and development trajectory. This paper investigates the rationale behind the policy shift, its anticipated economic impacts, and potential future pathways for Ethiopia. Through a systematic review of the literature and comparative analysis of case studies from other countries, the study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the benefits, risks, and strategic considerations associated with the move to a floating exchange rate. While the reform offers promising prospects for greater economic autonomy, enhanced trade competitiveness, and market-driven growth, it also introduces considerable challenges, including inflationary pressures, socioeconomic inequality, and political uncertainty. To fully leverage the potential of this transition, Ethiopia must prioritize sound policy management, institutional strengthening, and structural economic reforms. These measures are critical to mitigating the inherent risks of exchange rate liberalization and to ensuring that the country achieves long-term macroeconomic stability, inclusive growth, and sustained structural transformation.

  pp. 46-61 Abstract views:1264 Downloads:716

• Open Access Article Economics

  15 Pages Download PDF: The Impact of School Infrastructure on Academic Performance in Cameroon: Empirical Evidence From Cameroon

  The Impact of School Infrastructure on Academic Performance in Cameroon: Empirical Evidence From Cameroon

  Njong Mom Aloysius, Ndamsa Dickson Thomas, Abety Paul, Nguena Christian-Lambert

  2025-03-15 https://doi.org/10.36923/iefrontiers.v28i1.285

  This study examines the impact of school infrastructure on pupils' academic performance in Cameroon, addressing concerns over persistently low schooling rates and educational outcomes in primary schools. Using cross-sectional secondary data from the PASEC survey conducted across ten Francophone African countries, covering 31,213 pupils from 671 schools in Cameroon. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and robust Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. The findings reveal that school infrastructure has a significant positive effect on pupils’ academic performance, suggesting that improvements in classroom conditions, access to educational resources, and overall school facilities correlate with better academic outcomes. Additionally, several control variables, including electricity at home, parental involvement in education, access to study guides, and the availability of basic learning materials, also show a positive relationship with academic performance. However, certain factors, such as school canteens, catch-up lessons, and WiFi access at home, exhibit unexpected negative effects on pupils' performance, indicating potential distractions or inefficiencies in their implementation. The study concludes that investment in school infrastructure is crucial for enhancing educational quality in Cameroon. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions focusing on classroom construction, the provision of teaching materials, and inclusive infrastructure to support diverse student needs. From a policy perspective, the Cameroonian government should address urban-rural disparities through decentralization, ensuring that local authorities play an active role in school infrastructure development. The findings suggest that while digitalization is not yet a priority, fundamental infrastructure improvements, such as classrooms, desks, potable water, and libraries, should be prioritized to create a more conducive learning environment.

  pp. 31-45 Abstract views:3847 Downloads:1562

• Open Access Article Economics

  14 Pages Download PDF: Financial Development, Globalization, and Economic Growth in The Next-11 Countries: Evidence from a Panel ARDL Model

  Financial Development, Globalization, and Economic Growth in The Next-11 Countries: Evidence from a Panel ARDL Model

  Moheddine Younsi

  2026-05-18 https://doi.org/10.36923/ie-frontiers.v29i1.427

  Given the growing importance of financial development and globalization in shaping economic growth over recent decades, particularly in the context of the Next-11 countries, policymakers need to carefully assess both the individual and joint effects of these factors to design policies that maximize their growth-enhancing potential. Accordingly, this study investigates the short-run and long-run effects of financial development and globalization—both independently and interactively—on economic growth in the Next-11 countries over the period 1990–2023, employing a panel ARDL framework. The empirical results reveal that financial development and globalization each have negative and significant effects on economic growth in both the short and long run. However, the interaction term between financial development and globalization is positive and significant across both time horizons, providing strong support for the complementarity hypothesis. This finding suggests that, although each factor individually constrains growth, their joint effect mitigates these adverse impacts and ultimately enhances growth outcomes. With respect to the control variables, labor has a positive and significant impact on economic growth in both the short run and the long run, highlighting the critical role of human capital and labor force expansion. Physical capital is found to be insignificant in the long run but exhibits mixed effects in the short run. Inflation remains insignificant in the long run but shows a small yet positive and significant effect in the short run. Overall, these results offer important policy implications, emphasizing the need for coordinated financial and external-sector policies to promote sustainable economic growth in the Next-11 countries.

  pp. 41-54 Abstract views:570 Downloads:240