scholarly journals Unpacking Ecological Stress from Economic Activities for Sustainability and Resource Optimization in Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3538
Author(s):  
Katundu Imasiku ◽  
Valerie M. Thomas ◽  
Etienne Ntagwirumugara
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Resource Optimization ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Social Wellbeing ◽  
Sub Saharan

Most sub-Saharan African (SSA) nations are governed by traditional economic models of using varied varieties of capital (including human), technological and natural approaches to supply goods and services. This has undoubtedly led to annual economic growth of about 3.2% in several African nations and higher per capita income as some of the major benefits, which have improved the standards of living and social wellbeing but conjointly have led to environmental degradation. In response to the environmental degradation problem, while benchmarking against international policies, this article evaluates approaches to economic development, environmental management, and energy production in the context of climate change. Case studies consider the mine-dependent nations of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the agriculture-dependent nation of Rwanda. In Zambia and DRC, energy efficiency in the mining and metals industries could increase the electrification rate in Zambia and DRC by up to 50%. Additional industrial utilization of solar or wind energy is key to a stable energy supply, economic development and environmental protection. In Rwanda, population growth and land constraints point to economic growth and agricultural improvements as the key to sustainability and sustainable development. These case studies emphasize resource optimization, energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, strategies to reduce biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, and the improvement of social wellbeing for both present and future generations to achieve an ecologically enhanced sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Differential Impact on Economic Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Ulderico Mirti
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
History Plays ◽  
Colonial History ◽  
Additional Insight ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
French Colonies ◽  
Sub Saharan

Why are some countries wealthier than others? There are numerous ways to address this question; however, there is substantial literature in development economics suggesting that a nation’s colonial history plays an integral part in pre-determining who is rich, and who is poor. Previous studies suggest that among former African colonies, British or French colonies experienced marginally faster growth rates than Portuguese, Belgian, or Italian ones. This provides additional insight to suggest that differentiation in economic growth could be explained by a nation’s colonial history. This study attempts to understand the differential impacts of British and French colonialism on the economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. By investigating the different approaches to colonizing, is it possible that one of these previous imperial powers better equipped their colonies with formidable institutions conducive for economic growth after independence?  

Human Capital Formation and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries: An Empirical Investigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-268
Author(s):  
Taiwo Akinlo ◽  
Olusola Joel Oyeleke
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Level Of Economic Development ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Generalised Method Of Moments ◽  
The Impact

This study explored human capital–economic growth nexus and determine if the relationship is influenced by the level of economic development in 36 sub-Saharan African countries during the period from 1986–2018. The study used dynamic generalised method of moments (GMM) and static estimations to achieve the objective of the study. The study used alternative indicators of human capital to provide strong evidence and robust results. The study also considered the income groups within the region. The study found that human capital contributed to economic growth, as its indicators are positive and significant. The study also found that the connection that exists between human capital and economic growth also depends on the level of economic development. Generally, our finding emphasised that both education and health measures of human capital are important, and that policymakers must consider the level of economic development while formulating policies that can enhance the impact of human capital on economic growth in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

Developing Countries, Economic Development, and Markets

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Eleanor M. Fox ◽  
Mor Bakhoum
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
State Ownership ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
The People ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sustainable Economic Growth

This chapter discusses economic development and markets in developing countries, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Developing countries, especially lower-income developing countries with low rates of growth, share key characteristics and challenges. Huge portions of their populations live below the poverty line. The markets are generally highly concentrated with high barriers to entry, and state ownership—with privileges granted by the state—is pervasive. In order to provide the people with the necessities of life, developing countries need economic growth; in order to provide equity and spur development, they need inclusive, sustainable economic growth, consistent with equity. The chapter then describes two forms of market policy: antitrust law, which prohibits and removes restraints by market actors who engage in harmful conduct such as conspiracies to raise prices and bar entry by competitors, and surrounding restraints that are not violations of law but do the same thing: raise prices, barricade entry, and favor vested interests.

scholarly journals Sustaining Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Do FDI Inflows and External Debt Count?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Udi Joshua ◽  
David Babatunde ◽  
Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
External Debt ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Economic Expansion ◽  
Fdi Inflows ◽  
Distributed Lag ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

The quest for the attainment of economic development is sought after by all global economies, which by effect is expected to transcend to improving livelihoods and standard of living. However, several factors hinder the process of achieving sustained economic development, especially in developing countries. In this regard, assessing the extent of economic expansion orchestrated by foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in vulnerable economies such as Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly in the face of the significant fall in global FDI inflow, is worthwhile. In essence, this study ascertains the impact of FDI inflows and external debt on economic growth amidst decline in FDI inflows and excessive foreign borrowings. The mixed order of integration from the stationarity test underpins the adoption of autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach for data covering the period 1990 to 2018. The empirical results found FDI inflows play a crucial role in achieving economic expansion in the region. On average, FDI inflows, external debt, and foreign aids are more useful in expanding the economy compared to trade openness and exchange rate. Thus, this study recommends the need for SSA to open its economic borders for external capital, viz. FDI. A peaceful economic and political environment is a pre-condition to attract and maintain potential foreign investors. Stability in exchange rates is critical in achieving growth in FDI and other foreign resources. However, caution is required, especially in administration of external resources. Particularly, contracting external debt must strictly be driven by economic reasons rather than political motivation. Borrowed funds could be injected mainly into productive streams with the highest investment returns to boost economic development.

Managing African Urbanization in the Context of Environmental Change

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaib Lwasa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Urbanization Rate ◽  
Development And Management

Africa’s urbanization rate has increased steadily over the past three decades and is reported to be faster than in any other region in the world . It is estimated that by 2030, over half of the African population will be living in urban areas . But the nature of Africa’s urbanization and subsequent form of cities is yet to be critically analyzed in the context of city authorities’ readiness to address the challenges . Evidence is also suggesting that urbanization in African countries is increasingly associated with the high economic growth that has been observed in the last two decades . Both underlying and proximate drivers are responsible for the urbanization, and these include population dynamics, economic growth, legislative designation, increasing densities in rural centers, as well as the growth of mega cities such as Lagos, Cairo and Kinshasa, that are extending to form urban corridors . With the opportunities of urbanization in Sub–Saharan Africa, there are also challenges in the development and management of these cities . Those challenges include provision of social services, sustainable economic development, housing development, urban governance, spatial development guidance and environmental management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction . The challenge involves dealing with the development and infrastructure deficit, in addition to required adaption to and mitigation of climate change . This paper examines the current state of urban management in Africa .

scholarly journals Financial Inclusion, Income Inequality and Sustainable Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1780
Author(s):  
Chima M. Menyelim ◽  
Abiola A. Babajide ◽  
Alexander E. Omankhanlen ◽  
Benjamin I. Ehikioya
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Kuznets Curve ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Financial Access ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sustainable Economic Growth ◽  
The Impact

This study evaluates the relevance of inclusive financial access in moderating the effect of income inequality on economic growth in 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the period 1995 to 2017. The findings using the Generalised Method of Moments (sys-GMM) technique show that inclusive financial access contributes to reducing inequality in the short run, contrary to the Kuznets curve. The result reveals a negative effect of financial access on the relationship between income inequality and economic growth. There is a positive net effect of inclusive financial access in moderating the impact of income inequality on economic growth. Given the need to achieve the Sustainable Development Targets in the sub-region, policymakers and other stakeholders of the economy must design policies and programmes that would enhance access to financial services as an essential mechanism to reduce income disparity and enhance sustainable economic growth.

scholarly journals Degree of financialization and energy efficiency in Sub-Saharan Africa: do institutions matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Kofi Adom ◽  
Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah ◽  
Salome Amuakwa-Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Political Regimes ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Bank Profitability

Abstract The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 emphasizes the need for economies around the world to double their efforts in energy efficiency improvements. This is because improvements in energy efficiency can trigger economic growth and considered as one of the ‘green’ growth strategies due to its carbon free content. To this end, some empirical studies have investigated the nexus between economic growth and energy efficiency, but the effects of the latter on financial indicators have not been sufficiently studied in the literature, at least in developing economies like Africa. This study examines the effect of energy efficiency improvements on commercial bank profitability under different political regimes (i.e., autocratic and democratic political regimes); something previous literature had neglected. The study uses panel data, consisting of 43 African countries and the simultaneous System Generalized Method of Moments. We found that energy efficiency improvement is more likely to induce higher bank profitability in political institutions with the characteristics of centralization of power compared with those with decentralization of power. Furthermore, for the banking sector, the findings suggest that energy utilization behavior of clients should be included in the loan or credit valuation process. For the government, the agenda of energy efficiency should be aggressively pursued while taking cognizance of creating a political environment that weans itself from a ‘grandfathering’ behavior.

scholarly journals Mapping 20 Years of Urban Expansion in 45 Urban Areas of Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 525
Author(s):  
Yann Forget ◽  
Michal Shimoni ◽  
Marius Gilbert ◽  
Catherine Linard
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Urban Dynamics ◽  
Mapping Approach ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

By 2050, half of the net increase in the world’s population is expected to reside in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), driving high urbanization rates and drastic land cover changes. However, the data-scarce environment of SSA limits our understanding of the urban dynamics in the region. In this context, Earth Observation (EO) is an opportunity to gather accurate and up-to-date spatial information on urban extents. During the last decade, the adoption of open-access policies by major EO programs (CBERS, Landsat, Sentinel) has allowed the production of several global high resolution (10–30 m) maps of human settlements. However, mapping accuracies in SSA are usually lower, limited by the lack of reference datasets to support the training and the validation of the classification models. Here we propose a mapping approach based on multi-sensor satellite imagery (Landsat, Sentinel-1, Envisat, ERS) and volunteered geographic information (OpenStreetMap) to solve the challenges of urban remote sensing in SSA. The proposed mapping approach is assessed in 17 case studies for an average F1-score of 0.93, and applied in 45 urban areas of SSA to produce a dataset of urban expansion from 1995 to 2015. Across the case studies, built-up areas averaged a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% between 1995 and 2015. The comparison with local population dynamics reveals the heterogeneity of urban dynamics in SSA. Overall, population densities in built-up areas are decreasing. However, the impact of population growth on urban expansion differs depending on the size of the urban area and its income class.

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