Wycliffe Mugun
Department of Economics, Kaimosi Friends University, Kenya
Abstract
The notion of convergence amidst countries in relation to GDP per capita is presently a common query of economic thinking, this convergence hypothesis is grounded on the neoclassical growth models. For these models the convergence will transpire when a poor nation have a tendency to catch up with the per capita income of the rich country in the long term. Absolutely it’s through the opening that the convergence process is instigated and eventually curtails the disparities of income distribution among countries. Nonetheless, due to the fact that there are limited scholarly works on economic growth convergence other studies test convergence of inflation and health expenditure convergence and numerous studies indicate divergent opinions on the convergence of economic growth. For this reason, it is not clear whether or not economic growth among ECOWAS countries converges or diverges. The main objective of this study was to examine the neoclassical growth convergence modelling in ECOWAS states. This study was anchored on the Solow Neoclassical Growth theory. The study concluded that the catching up process is conditional and not unconditional. This advocates that income variations between ECOWAS member states has been deteriorating over time after regulating for inconsistencies in the steady states. The study recommends that enhancement of physical capital such as infrastructure is crucial to shrink income difference in ECOWAS countries and further, maintaining an exchange rate regime that boosts competitiveness of exports is equally important. Care should also be taken to maintain low inflationary pressures among the ECOWAS partner states.
Keywords: Conditional Convergence, Economic Growth, ECOWAS Countries
Journal Name :
EPRA International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Studies (EBMS)

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Published on : 2025-11-12

Vol : 12
Issue : 11
Month : November
Year : 2025
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