The International Dimension of African Economic Growth

Abstract

The paper sheds light on the importance of the international dimension for African economic growth. While existing evidence points to a positive impact of openness on growth, the appropriate dynamics of the implications are yet to be captured. The beneficial effects of exports are confirmed for African economies, though available evidence suggests that it is the manufacturing component that seems to really matter for growth. International shocks in the form of terms of trade declines; economic instabilities of capital (investment) and imports; world interest rates; real exchange rate misalignment; and external debt all appear to exercise adverse implications for growth in Africa.