African Public Finance Management (Public | 12 June 2012
Behavioural Economics in Senegal: Insights for Consumer Protection Strategies
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Abstract
Behavioural economics has emerged as a critical framework for understanding consumer behaviour in various markets, including those with emerging economies like Senegal. A structured survey was conducted with a sample of 200 individuals from urban areas of Senegal, using validated scales to measure decision-making biases such as loss aversion, overconfidence, and herd mentality. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests to identify significant patterns. The analysis revealed that over 75% of participants exhibited signs of overconfidence in financial decisions, which is a common behavioural trait affecting consumer choices in Senegal’s retail markets. This study underscores the importance of incorporating behavioural economics into consumer protection strategies to mitigate adverse outcomes such as financial exploitation and misinformation. Given the findings, it is recommended that regulatory bodies consider implementing educational programmes targeting overconfident consumers and integrating behavioural insights in financial education materials.