The Role of Supply Chain Intermediaries in Economic Development: A Critical Analysis of Transparency, Price Control, and Inflation in Developing Nations

This conference paper investigates the complex role of intermediaries in the supply chain, emphasizing their dual impact on economic development. While agents, wholesalers, retailers, and marketers are critical in bridging producers and consumers by enhancing distribution efficiency, their activities can also undermine market stability when left unregulated. Focusing on Nigeria and Ghana, the study highlights how weak institutional frameworks and the absence of effective price regulation allow unethical practices such as price manipulation, arbitrary markups, and non-transparent transactions to thrive. These practices fuel inflation, deepen income inequality, and weaken overall societal welfare. By contrasting these dynamics with more structured and regulated supply chain systems in developed economies, the paper underscores the importance of regulatory oversight, transparency, and policy interventions to ensure sustainable supply chain management and equitable economic growth.