Unravelling the devaluation puzzle: Empirical insights into the transmission channel on balance of payments and output in Ethiopia

Background Empirical studies on the impact of devaluation in developing countries, including Ethiopia, have revealed diverse and mixed results. The effects can be positive or negative depending on the specific economic context and policies in place.This study addresses the devaluation puzzle by providing a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of how devaluation affects the balance of payments and output. Methods To achieve this, we employ a recursive structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model focusing on Ethiopia from 2001Q1 to 2023Q4. Results The findings reveal that exchange rate shocks negatively affect the balance of payments in both the short and long run, with a greater impact observed in the short run. Shocks in other variables, such as foreign exchange rate reserves, inflation, and interest rates, exert a stronger influence on the balance of payments than the exchange rate itself in the long run. In addition, shocks in the exchange rate significantly impact foreign exchange rate reserves in the long run, highlighting the complex dynamics of exchange rates and the indirect nature of the exchange rate channel. Exchange rate shocks also negatively impact output growth in both the short and long run. Conclusion The study concludes that devaluation has a contractionary effect through various channels. Devaluation increases the money supply, leading to inflationary pressures and a decline in output. It also increases interest rates, which further reduces output. In addition, devaluation reduces foreign exchange reserves, resulting in a fall in the balance of payments and a decrease in output. We suggest policymakers prioritize exchange rate stability through practical monetary and fiscal policies. In general, International financial institutions, particularly the National Bank of Ethiopia, should reconsider their devaluation-focused policies, considering the complexities and potential negative consequences associated with devaluation.