The presource curse in Africa: Economic and political effects of anticipating natural resource revenues

Jedrzej George Frynas*, Lars Buur

*Corresponding author

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

The notion of the ‘resource curse’ suggests that large inflows of extractive industry revenues cause many adverse macro-economic and political effects. The resource curse literature focuses on the impact of actual inflows of
extractive resource revenues. However, anticipation of future resource revenues can also lead to negative macroeconomic and political effects even before resource extraction takes place, which points to the role of behavioral
aspects of the ‘resource curse’. Using empirical evidence from three African countries, this article investigates to what extent the anticipation of future extractive revenues led to ‘presource curse’ effects. It finds that all three
countries experienced negative effects as a result of anticipation of future extractive revenues, including economic growth volatility, higher levels of national debt, eroded governance and societal conflicts. Given the phenomenal increase in oil, gas and metal ore exploration across Africa, it is likely that many countries experience the negative effects of a presource curse without natural resource extraction or long before natural resources are actually extracted.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftThe Extractive Industries and Society
Vol/bind7
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)1257-1270
Antal sider14
ISSN2214-790X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - nov. 2020
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