Female Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Development in MENA Countries

This paper tries to examine the effect of Microfinance on sustainable development in a group of Middle East and North African countries (MENA). Can we consider Microcredits are performing instruments for sustainable development in MENA countries? To answer this question, we chose a period from 1990 to 2018, and a sample of 10 MENA countries was selected. In the empirical analysis, we examined the linear fit of this long-term relationship within an error correction (ECM) model. We found that micro-financial institutions will correct 67% of sustainable development imbalance as the speed of adjustment brings this imbalance back to a stable state in the long term. Subsequently, we adopted the GMM method to determine the dynamics of sustainable development. Our results showed that women's participation in economic life in the MENA region does not have a significant impact on sustainable development. The research paper advises ending the gender disparity in employment, which will enhance women’s likelihood of gaining access to formal financial services. It also advises boosting women’s financial education which will lead to strengthening their financial capacities. This advice will help to reach sustainable development at the country’s level.