Temporary Acceleration or Permanent Growth Take-Off? An Analysis of the Drivers of Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

20 Pages Posted: 13 Jan 2015

See all articles by Matthias Busse

Matthias Busse

Ruhr-University Bochum

Ceren Erdogan

Ruhr University of Bochum

Henning Mühlen

University of Hohenheim

Date Written: January 12, 2015

Abstract

In view of the remarkable growth performance of sub-Saharan African countries since the mid-1990s, we investigate the drivers of economic growth in the region. Above all, we find that more investment, enhanced macroeconomic stability, less conflicts, improved terms of trade, and better institutions have contributed to this growth performance. Yet a structural transformation from agriculture towards labour-intensive manufacturing has not happened so far. It is therefore questionable whether the region’s relatively high growth rates can be sustained in the long run.

Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa; Economic Growth; Structural Transformation

JEL Classification: O11; O47; O55

Suggested Citation

Busse, Matthias and Erdogan, Ceren and Mühlen, Henning, Temporary Acceleration or Permanent Growth Take-Off? An Analysis of the Drivers of Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (January 12, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2548528 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2548528

Matthias Busse (Contact Author)

Ruhr-University Bochum ( email )

Faculty of Management and Economics, GC 3/145
GD 41
D-44780 Bochum, DE 44780
Germany

Ceren Erdogan

Ruhr University of Bochum ( email )

Universitätsstraße 150
Bochum, NRW 44780
Germany

Henning Mühlen

University of Hohenheim ( email )

Institute of Economics (520E)
Schloss Hohenheim
Stuttgart, 70593
Germany

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