Regional economic integration in Sub-Saharan Africa: adaptability and responsiveness of South African banking regulations to Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Shockwaves from the 2007–2010 financial crises caused a huge economic downturn and impacted countries and market centres globally. This blemished the reputation of the banks with many blaming the global financial crisis on reckless banking and lending practices. As a result, there was an increased focus on regulatory reform. The Sub-Saharan Africa regional integration is aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and credibility of economic policies, economic performance and trade improvement. Africa embarked on global integration of economic and financial systems to reduce poverty and sustain economic growth. This research examines the adaptability and responsiveness of South African banking regulations in Sub-Saharan Africa in relation to regional economic integration. An improved understanding of this relationship provides key principles and a greater understanding for regulatory bodies and banks to enhance their management of regulatory change in emerging markets. Unstructured interviews were held in this research with banks and financial and regulatory authority members in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. The research results were inconclusive in terms of the adaptability and responsiveness of South African banking to the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa. Bank challenges were identified in terms of regulatory development, implementation and regional integration. The lack of empirical data indicated the need for quantitative research and understanding integrational factors that could be used to measure the rate of integration and adaptability. New categories were identified which need further research to gain a comprehensive understanding on the adaptability and responsiveness of South African banking to the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa.