IMF Working Papers

Did Botswana Escape from the Resource Curse?

By Atsushi Iimi

June 1, 2006

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Atsushi Iimi. Did Botswana Escape from the Resource Curse?, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2006) accessed November 7, 2024
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

Botswana is typical of the countries that are endowed with abundant natural resources. Although it is commonly accepted that resource-rich economies tend to fail in accelerating growth, Botswana has experienced the most remarkable economic performance in the region. Using the latest cross-country data, this study empirically readdresses the question of whether resource abundance can contribute to growth. It finds that governance determines the extent to which the growth effects of resource wealth can materialize. In developing countries in particular, the quality of regulation, such as the predictability of changes of regulations, and anticorruption policies, such as transparency and accountability in the public sector, are most important for effective natural resource management and growth.

Subject: Exports, Natural resources, Non-renewable resources, Resource management in revenue administration, Terms of trade

Keywords: Botswana, Governance, Natural resource, WP

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    33

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 2006/138

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA2006138

  • ISBN:

    9781451863987

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941