ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT FACTORS AFFECTING TEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES: AUTOREGRESSIVE DISTRIBUTIVE LAG GRANGER-CAUSALITY APPROACH AND VECM

The study studied ecological footprint affecting factors in Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola, Ghana, and Tanzania from 2000 to 2018. The CMR structural unit root test found stationary data. LogEF and GDP, human capital, sociopolitical factors, and energy use are cointegrated (LogEU). In the long term, economic development (GDP) and human capital positively influenced the ecological footprint, whereas socio-political issues negatively influenced it. Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola, Ghana, and Tanzania have different ecofootprints. Africa's environmental footprint is affected by GDP, human capital, and energy use. In the 10 nations studied, ecological footprint, GDP, human capital, and energy use were bidirectional. The study urges policymakers and national leaders to improve the ecological footprint.