Abstract
In the context of growing regional integration and mobility, understanding the interplay
between migration patterns and cross-border payment behaviours is becoming
increasingly critical for financial inclusion and economic development in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Despite the progress made in advancing cross-border payment infrastructures,
significant gaps persist in the literature regarding how migration flows influence the
frequency, volume, and efficiency of such payments. This study aims to investigate
the impact of internal and external migration patterns on cross-border payment
behaviours across Sub-Saharan African countries. In particular, the research explores
the dynamics of remittance channels, digital financial adoption, and the regulatory
environments shaping cross-border transactions. Employing panel data regression
analysis, the study utilizes country-level data over multiple years to uncover both linear
and non-linear relationships, including potential threshold effects and regional
disparities. Annual data from 2004 to 2024 was sourced from various international
databases. The findings are expected to offer evidence-based insights for
policymakers and financial institutions to optimize cross-border payment systems
while responding effectively to migratory trends in the region.