SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Overview

Name:

Ilara Mahdi

Email address:

im19@soas.ac.uk

Thesis title:

Formalizing Informal Finance in Sierra Leone in promoting economic growth (Working title)

Year of Study:

Year of Entry 2011-12

Internal Supervisors

• Jan Toporowski

PhD Research

Like most sub-Saharan African economies the bulk of financial activities in Sierra Leone take place in the informal financial system. These activities are not illegal but are unregulated by the authorities. They however have an impact on the efficiency of the formal financial system and its ability to promote economic growth. This research is aimed at proposing ways of formalizing informal finance in Sierra Leone in order to promote economic growth. A flow of funds analysis will be undertaken to better understand financial activities in Sierra Leone.