African Journal of Economic Review
Journal / African Journal of Economic Review / Submissions

1. About the Journal

The African Journal of Economic Review (AJER) is a peer-reviewed journal committed to publishing high-quality economic research that is theoretically sound, empirically rigorous, and relevant to the economic development of Africa. AJER encourages original contributions that extend the frontiers of economic knowledge and inform policymaking in African contexts.

2. Submission Overview

• Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
• Maximum word count: 6,000 words (excluding references, tables, figures, and appendices).
• Font and layout: Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, standard margins (1 inch or 2.54 cm).
• Language: Clear and formal English is required. Authors are responsible for language editing before submission.
• Anonymity: To ensure double-blind review, please anonymize all submissions—do not include author names or affiliations in the manuscript file.

3. Manuscript Structure

AJER adopts a structure similar to leading economics journals. Manuscripts should include the following sections:

Title Page (separate file)

• Full title of the paper
• Author(s)' full names, institutional affiliations, and email addresses
• Acknowledgements (if any), funding statements, and conflict of interest declarations
• Abstract (≤ 250 words) --A concise summary of the research question, methodology, key results, contribution and policy implications.
• Keywords (3-6)
• JEL Classification

Section 1: Introduction

The Introduction section is a critical component of any scholarly manuscript and should be carefully crafted to establish the context, relevance, and value of the research. In line with international publishing standards, the African Journal of Economic Review expects the introduction to address the following elements in a clear, coherent, and logically structured manner:

Problem Statement and Motivation

Begin by clearly articulating the economic or policy problem that the paper addresses. Explain why this issue is important, particularly in the context of Africa. The motivation should be supported by empirical trends, policy debates, or theoretical concerns that highlight the urgency or significance of the research.

Research Questions and objectives.

State the primary research question(s) the paper seeks to answer. This should be formulated precisely and linked logically to the problem being addressed. Where appropriate, include specific research objectives or hypotheses to guide the reader through the paper's analytical direction.

Literature Positioning

Provide a brief yet focused review of the most relevant and recent literature. Identify existing gaps, limitations, or unresolved debates that your study aims to contribute to. This section should clarify how your work fits into or challenges the current body of knowledge.

Contribution to Knowledge

Clearly state what is novel about your study. Whether it's a new dataset, an innovative methodological approach, or a fresh theoretical insight, the introduction should convey the paper’s value addition to the field of economics, particularly in the African development context.

Methodological Overview

Offer a brief, non-technical overview of your empirical approach or theoretical model. This helps readers grasp how the study is structured without delving into full methodological detail at this stage.

Main Results (Optional but Recommended)

Many world-class journals now encourage authors to preview their key findings in the introduction. Doing so allows readers and reviewers to understand the paper’s main message from the outset.

Structure of the Paper

Conclude the introduction by briefly outlining the structure of the paper (e.g., “The remainder of this paper is organized as follows…”). This helps guide the reader through the flow of the argument.

Section 2: Literature Review

The Literature Review section is a foundational component of your manuscript. It serves to situate your research within the broader academic conversation, clarify how your work builds upon or diverges from existing studies, and demonstrate your familiarity with the relevant theoretical and empirical developments in the field. For submissions to the African Journal of Economic Review (AJER), the literature review should be purposeful, critical, and well-structured. Below are key elements that should be addressed:

Contextualization of the Research Problem

Begin by framing your study within the broader field of economics. Identify the key themes, debates, or questions that have dominated scholarly work related to your topic—whether in development economics, public finance, labor economics, or another area. Clearly show how your research question emerges from this body of work.

Thematic Organization of Existing Literature

Organize the review thematically or methodologically rather than summarizing studies one by one. Group studies according to their approaches, findings, or theoretical contributions. This helps to map out the intellectual terrain and highlight areas of consensus, contention, or gaps.

Critical Evaluation

A literature review is not a descriptive summary but a critical assessment. Point out limitations in data, theoretical inconsistencies, methodological weaknesses, or conflicting results. For example, if most studies rely on cross-sectional data, you might highlight the need for longitudinal or panel analysis.

Identification of Research Gaps

Clearly indicate what is missing in the literature—whether it’s empirical evidence in African contexts, a particular methodological innovation, or under-researched populations. This helps justify why your study is needed and frames the significance of your contribution.

Connection to Your Study

The review should lead logically into your own work. By the end of the section, the reader should understand how your study addresses a specific gap, extends a theory, or improves upon past empirical strategies. This section should naturally transition into your theoretical framework or methodology.

Use of Recent and Relevant Sources

Ensure that you reference recent and high-quality publications from leading journals and other peer-reviewed outlets. While foundational or classic works are important, your review should reflect the current state of the literature.

Proper Citation and Academic Tone

Follow a consistent citation style (Harvard as specified by AJER), and maintain an academic tone. Avoid overly general statements (“Many authors agree that…”) and instead cite specific studies and their findings.

Length and Placement

The literature review can be a stand-alone section or integrated with the theoretical framework, depending on the nature of the paper. Ideally, it should be long enough to establish the scholarly foundation but concise enough to keep the paper focused (typically 1,000–1,500 words in a 6,000-word article).

Section 3: Methodology

The Methodology section is one of the most crucial parts of an academic paper. It provides the reader with a clear, transparent, and replicable explanation of how the research was conducted. In economics, especially in applied and empirical research as prioritized by the African Journal of Economic Review (AJER), the methodology section should reflect both rigor and relevance, drawing on best practices from top journals. Below is a detailed breakdown of what is expected:

Research Design and Approach

Begin by specifying the type of research and the overall approach: Is the study theoretical, empirical, or mixed-method? Is the analysis descriptive, causal, or exploratory? What is the underlying research strategy (e.g., panel data analysis, quasi-experimental design, randomized control trial, computable general equilibrium model, etc.)? Briefly justify why this design is appropriate for answering the research question.

Data Description

Clearly describe the data sources used: Specify whether you use primary data (e.g., surveys, interviews) or secondary data (e.g., World Bank, DHS, national statistics). Provide information about the data period, geographic coverage, sampling methods, and sample size. Mention any data cleaning, construction of variables, or transformations done (e.g., logarithmic transformations, normalizations). Highlight any data limitations or potential biases (e.g., missing values, measurement error).

Econometric or Analytical Techniques

Explain in detail the empirical methods or theoretical models used to analyze the data. Depending on the nature of the study, this may include: Regression analysis (OLS, IV, Logit/Probit, panel regression, etc.), Quasi-experimental methods (difference-in-differences, propensity score matching, regression discontinuity), Structural models, simulation models, or theoretical derivations. 

Each method should be: Clearly defined, justified (Why is this method appropriate for your question?), transparent about assumptions and potential limitations (e.g., endogeneity, omitted variable bias, sample selection). If your paper employs advanced techniques or novel methodologies (e.g., machine learning, synthetic controls, Bayesian models), explain them with clarity and avoid excessive jargon.

Model Specification

Provide the mathematical specification of your model if relevant. Include: the dependent and independent variables, Control variables, Fixed effects, if any, Functional form (linear, log-linear, etc.), Error term assumptions. This helps reviewers and readers follow your logic and replication.

Estimation and Identification Strategy

If you aim to estimate causal relationships, you must clearly explain your identification strategy. That is: How do you ensure the observed effects are not driven by confounding factors? Are you using an instrumental variable (IV)? If so, explain why it satisfies relevance and exogeneity. Are you relying on natural experiments or policy changes? Justify their validity.

Robustness and Sensitivity Checks

Briefly mention any robustness tests or alternative specifications you plan to conduct (e.g., different samples, controls, functional forms). These may be reported in the results section but should be anticipated in the methodology.

Ethical Considerations

If the study involves human subjects or primary data collection, mention any ethical clearance, consent procedures, and confidentiality protocols used.

Replicability

In line with open science principles promoted by leading journals, consider whether your methodology section includes enough detail to allow another researcher to replicate your results. Mention whether replication codes and datasets will be made available upon request or through a public repository.

Section 4: Results and Discussion

The Results and Discussion section is a critical component of a research paper. It presents the empirical findings in a clear and logical sequence, interprets the implications of these findings, and places them within the context of the broader academic and policy discourse. This section should be written with clarity, rigor, and precision, avoiding excessive technical language while remaining analytically robust.

Presentation of Results

Begin by reporting the results of the baseline empirical models. This should include a clear presentation of the main coefficients of interest, their statistical significance, and economic interpretation. Tables and figures should be used effectively to summarize the results—each table or figure should be clearly titled, numbered, and referenced in the text. Authors should avoid simply repeating numbers from tables; instead, focus on what the estimates imply in economic and practical terms. All tables and figures should be numbered, titled, and referenced in the text.

Key aspects to include are:

1. Descriptive statistics: Provide summary statistics for the key variables used in the analysis, ensuring that readers understand the sample characteristics.
2. Baseline regression results: Present the results of the primary empirical specification, highlighting the sign, magnitude, and significance of key coefficients.
3. Robustness checks: Report the results from alternative specifications, estimation methods, or sub-sample analyses to demonstrate the consistency and reliability of the findings.
4. Heterogeneity analysis: Where applicable, include results that explore differential impacts across groups (e.g., by gender, region, income level).

All statistical results should be accompanied by standard errors (preferably clustered where necessary), confidence intervals, and relevant diagnostic statistics (e.g., R², F-statistics, test results for endogeneity or instrument validity).

Interpretation and Economic Significance

Beyond statistical significance, authors must interpret the results in terms of economic significance. For example, if a 10% increase in education leads to a 5% increase in income, what does this imply for policy or theory? Provide intuitive explanations that link the empirical findings to real-world implications.

Where possible, compare your findings to existing literature. Are your results consistent with prior studies? Do they challenge or extend prevailing theories? Use this opportunity to explain the novelty and value addition of your study.

Discussion of Underlying Mechanisms

The discussion should not only present “what” the results are but also explore the possible “why.” This includes theorizing about mechanisms or pathways through which the observed relationships occur. If additional data or proxy indicators are available, use them to empirically test or illustrate these mechanisms.

Policy Implications

Discuss the broader policy relevance of the findings. What do the results imply for national strategies, donor programming, or local interventions? Make sure the policy recommendations are grounded in the evidence provided and are not speculative. Avoid overstating causal claims unless supported by a credible identification strategy.

Limitations of the Study

No study is without limitations. Acknowledge the key limitations of your data, methodology, or assumptions. This may include data quality issues, unobservable variables, or external validity concerns. Discussing limitations transparently strengthens the credibility of the research and suggests avenues for future work.

Link to Conclusion

Finally, the Results and Discussion section should logically lead into the Conclusion. While you may reserve broader reflections for the conclusion itself, ensure that your discussion transitions smoothly by summarizing the main insights and suggesting how they inform broader economic understanding or ongoing debates.

Section 5: Concluding Remarks

The Concluding Remarks section should do more than simply summarize the study—it should synthesize the key insights, clarify the broader contributions of the research, acknowledge its limitations, and outline practical and scholarly implications. It is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Summary of Key Findings

Begin with a concise restatement of the paper’s main findings. Emphasize the core message of the research in clear, non-technical language. This should include:

1. The central research question or hypothesis.
2. The main empirical results.
3. The economic or theoretical significance of those results.

Avoid repeating data or regressions. Instead, focus on what the findings mean in broader terms, particularly for readers who may not have followed all the technical detail.

Contribution to Literature and Knowledge

Clearly state how your study adds to the existing body of literature. Does it offer new empirical evidence in a previously understudied context? Does it challenge or refine an existing theory? Does it introduce a novel methodological approach or dataset? This helps position your work within the academic discourse and signals its relevance to future scholarship.

Policy and Practical Implications

Discuss the policy relevance of your findings. Translate your empirical results into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, or stakeholders. Keep the suggestions realistic and evidence-based, grounded in the data rather than speculation.

Acknowledgement of Limitations

Briefly recognize the limitations of your study—whether related to data, measurement, model assumptions, or external validity. This shows intellectual honesty and helps readers contextualize your findings.

Suggestions for Future Research

End with a forward-looking statement. Suggest areas where future research is needed to build on your work. This could involve:

1. Exploring long-term or dynamic effects.
2. Replicating the study in other regions or contexts.
3. Testing alternative mechanisms or hypotheses.
4. Integrating qualitative or mixed methods to complement the quantitative results.

References

All cited works must be included in a reference list formatted consistently in Harvard style. Submissions may be returned if referencing is incomplete or inconsistent.

Appendices

Technical details, derivations, or extended tables that support the main text should be included here.

Ethical Considerations

• Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
• Authors are expected to follow ethical standards in research and data use.
• All conflicts of interest, funding sources, and acknowledgements should be disclosed.

How to Submit

Manuscripts should be submitted electronically via the journal’s submission platform or by email, as specified on the AJER website. A cover letter is recommended and should include:

• The manuscript title
• A brief statement of contribution

• Confirmation that the work is original and not under review elsewhere

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