Boom, Bust, or Prosperity? Managing Sub-Saharan Africa’s Natural Resource Wealth

Departmental Papers, August 27, 2013

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Boom, Bust, or Prosperity? Managing Sub-Saharan Africa’s Natural Resource Wealth

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Bibliographic details

• Authors: Charlotte J. Lundgren, Alun H. Thomas, Robert C York
• Published: August 27, 2013
• Series: Departmental Papers
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484369326.087

Summary overview

• Sizeable natural resource endowments and potentially large financial inflows from their extraction provide an unparalleled opportunity for economic growth and development in a growing number of sub-Saharan African countries.
• Empirical evidence suggests translating resource wealth into stronger economic performance and a higher standard of living has proven challenging.
• Much has been written about the resource curse; this publication focuses on solutions to the challenges and outlines the main policy considerations and options in managing natural resource wealth.
• The analysis draws on experience within and outside sub-Saharan Africa and refers closely to the latest analysis and policy advice by the IMF, the World Bank, and leading academic research.
• Each chapter includes a recommended reading list for additional, more in-depth material to inform policymakers and other stakeholders on theoretical and analytical underpinnings of the policy advice.

Main findings and themes

• Natural resource wealth offers an unparalleled opportunity for growth and development in many sub-Saharan African countries.
• Converting resource wealth into improved economic performance and higher living standards has been difficult in practice.
• The publication emphasizes practical policy solutions rather than further exposition of the resource curse.

Policy considerations and options (focus)

• The publication outlines the main policy considerations and options in managing natural resource wealth, drawing on:
  • Experience within sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Experience outside sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Latest IMF and World Bank analysis and policy advice.
  • Leading academic research.
• Recommended readings at the end of each chapter aim to further inform policymakers and stakeholders on theoretical and analytical foundations for policy advice.

Content in this bundle

• _dp1302
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• _dp1302f
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• Expansão, contração ou prosperidade? A gestão da riqueza de recursos naturais na África subsariana
  • Expansão, contração ou prosperidade? A gestão da riqueza de recursos naturais na África subsariana (Markdown version)
  • Expansão, contração ou prosperidade? A gestão da riqueza de recursos naturais na África subsariana (PDF)