Development economists have found evidence that an abundance in natural resources hinders economic growth, contrary to conventional expectations. This finding is called the resource curse hypothesis. The major questions this paper addresses are: does the resource curse hypothesis apply to...

Donor interest in the extractives sector is based upon the premise that it represents an opportunity to improve a country’s development prospects. However, in many cases the presence of extractive resources is associated with poor economic performance. As a result, some donors are trying a...

In this study, nexuses between governance and natural resource rents are assessed in 44 sub-Saharan African countries using data for the period 1996-2016. The empirical evidence is based on Tobit regressions. The findings show that political governance (entailing “voice &...

In this study, nexuses between governance and trade performance in terms of natural resource rents are assessed in 44 sub-Saharan African countries. The empirical evidence is based on Tobit regressions. The findings show that political governance (entailing "voice & accountability" and political...

The continent of Africa is one of the most richly endowed continents with natural resources that would have placed it on a world map as the most developed continent but not many countries have succeeded in turning the revenues from these natural resources to enduring economic benefits. This...