Female economic inclusion, financial access and environmental degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: policy synergies and thresholds

Purpose This study assesses linkages between financial access, female economic inclusion and environmental degradation. Design/methodology/approach The focus is on 40 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2010–2021. The empirical evidence is based on the generalized method of moments (GMM) and quantile regressions. Findings From the findings, positive and negative synergies are apparent from the GMM results. From the quantile regressions results: (1) financial access policy thresholds are computed when female labor force participation is employed; (2) avoidable female unemployment thresholds are apparent when the female unemployment rate is used, while (3) financial access thresholds as well as thresholds for complementary policies are computed when female employment is used. Positive (negative) synergies are apparent when female labor force participation and its interaction with financial access both have positive (negative) signs. Policy implications are discussed. Originality/value The present study has complemented the extant literature by assessing how financial access and gender economic inclusion interact to influence environmental degradation.