Discussion Paper
No. 2017-8 | February 23, 2017
Zakia Musoke
An empirical investigation on dollarization and currency devaluation: a case study of Tanzania

Abstract

The debate regarding the usage of domestic currency versus dollarizing an economy is still robust in many developing countries. Dollarizing an economy commonly entails dollarizing bank deposits and loans, transacting in dollars and tagging prices of goods and services in dollar. In Tanzania, commercial banks have the power to open foreign currency deposit accounts for any account holder, giving them the freedom to hold foreign currency and pay in foreign currency. Due to the strength of foreign currencies over the domestic shilling, investors prefer to hold bank accounts in foreign currencies preferably USD. This paper’s main focus is dollarization and currency devaluation; of which are yet unresolved both theoretically and empirically. Using monthly nominal exchange rate data for the study period 2000–2014, the author introduced GARCH models to examine the relationship between dollarization and exchange rate. The Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity models indicate that dollarization does indeed induce currency depreciation as well as exchange rate volatility. Based on the findings and conclusions from other literature, this paper also proposes measures on how the country can prevent or offset the negative impacts of dollarization.

Data Set

JEL Classification:

C8, E5, E41

Cite As

Zakia Musoke (2017). An empirical investigation on dollarization and currency devaluation: a case study of Tanzania. Economics Discussion Papers, No 2017-8, Kiel Institute for the World Economy. http://www.economics-ejournal.org/economics/discussionpapers/2017-8


Comments and Questions



Anonymous - Invited Reader Comment
March 02, 2017 - 12:21
This paper on dollarization has much merit, but goes too far in policy suggestions. It is unlikely that any government could force dollar borrowers not involved in exporting to hedge their dollar exposure. If there is dollarization in Tanzania, it is due to a demand for it. And, Gresham's Law will, as the paper points out, cause further depreciation of the Tanzanian currency due to currency substitution. It needs a little editing, awkward capitalization is not consistent. It is a nice contribution.

Anonymous - Empirically?
March 28, 2017 - 14:28
The researcher must look cases as Ecuadorian Economy that use USD as national currency since 2000, in order to get the empirical experience that claims has not encounter.