Effect of Interest Rate Liberalisation on Domestic Savings in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: Empirical investigations into the interest rate effects on domestic savings have provided mixed results. Hence, this study examined the interest rate effects on domestic savings in line with the financial liberalization hypothesis since the period of structural adjustment program (SAP) in Nigeria. Approach/Methodology/Design: Data on gross domestic savings, interest rate, gross capital formation, and rate of inflation from 1986 to 2018 were obtained and analyzed using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) technique. Findings: The results revealed that interest rate and gross domestic savings are co-integrated in the long-run. The study showed that while capital formation positively affects domestic savings, the interest rate affects domestic savings negatively since the economic reforms of 1986 in Nigeria. Practical Implications: The results of the study are important for the Nigerian government to promote home-grown investments through domestic savings and capital formation. This will be made possible in the face of interest rate liberalization in which a higher interest rate serves as incentives for the household to save more thereby increasing domestic savings of the economy. Originality/value: The study further revealed that the long-run relationship exists between domestic private investments and interest rates.