2008年-世界发展银行全球_Growth_Strategies_for_Africa_84页_1mb

Summary: Growth Strategies for Africa

Core Content

Paul Collier's working paper, Growth Strategies for Africa, examines the reasons behind Africa's slow economic growth compared to other developing regions and proposes tailored policy strategies to address these challenges. The paper highlights how Africa's unique physical and human geography significantly influences its economic performance and the need for specific interventions to foster growth.

Main Points

1. Africa's Economic Performance

• Africa has grown more slowly than other developing regions over the past four decades.
• The average population-weighted per capita GDP growth rate for Africa (1960–2000) was only 0.1%, while other regions experienced faster growth.
• The growth divergence between Africa and other regions has accelerated, especially between the 1980s and 2000s, with a 5% annual divergence rate.
• Africa's population is more evenly distributed across the three geographic categories, unlike other developing regions where most live in coastal, resource-scarce countries.

2. Geographic Opportunity Groups

• Africa is divided into three distinct geographic categories based on resource endowments and location:
  • Coastal, resource-scarce countries
  • Landlocked, resource-scarce countries
  • Resource-rich countries
• These categories have had different growth trajectories globally:
  • Coastal, resource-scarce countries have generally performed well.
  • Landlocked, resource-scarce countries have been the worst performers.
  • Resource-rich countries have had mixed results, with some growing faster than others.

3. Challenges for Landlocked, Resource-Scarce Countries

• These countries face triple dependencies on their neighbors:
  • Access to the sea through coastal neighbors.
  • Economic governance of neighbors to avoid trade diversion.
  • Regional integration requiring cooperative trade and infrastructure policies.
• These dependencies are not reciprocal, meaning landlocked countries have limited influence over their neighbors.

Key Policy Strategies

Strategy 1: Increase Neighborhood Growth Spillovers

• Encourage cross-border trade through improved transport infrastructure and trade policy.
• Landlocked countries need to reduce trade barriers and increase regional integration.
• Example: Uganda's adoption of the Common External Tariff increased trade barriers against nonmembers, harming its neighbors.

Strategy 2: Improve Neighbors' Economic Policies

• The economic performance of coastal and resource-rich neighbors directly affects landlocked countries.
• Good policies in these countries are regional public goods and are often undersupplied due to lack of incentive.

Strategy 3: Improve Coastal Access

• Access to the sea is crucial for landlocked countries, but costs depend on the transport infrastructure and policies of coastal neighbors.
• There is a need for coastal countries to provide better infrastructure and services to facilitate access.

Strategy 4: Become a Haven for the Region

• Landlocked countries can attract regional business services (e.g., finance) by offering a policy-friendly environment.
• These services are not globally traded, making regional integration more beneficial.
• Example: Lebanon became a regional financial hub for the Middle East.

Strategy 5: Don't be Air-Locked or E-Locked

• E-trade and air-freight could offer new opportunities for landlocked countries.
• Air transport is becoming more important, and deregulation is key to reducing costs.
• E-services require good telecom infrastructure and post-primary education.
• Current state-run airlines are inefficient, while private companies like Ryanair and Southwest Airlines offer better models.

Strategy 6: Encourage Remittances

• Emigration is common in landlocked countries, but remittances can provide a financial boost.
• Strategies to maximize remittances include:
  • Educating workers for higher-income economies.
  • Facilitating job opportunities in foreign countries.
  • Encouraging remittances through banking systems and exchange rate policies.
  • Encouraging diaspora investment in home countries.

Strategy 7: Create a Transparent and Investor-Friendly Environment for Resource Prospecting

• Many landlocked, resource-scarce countries may have undervalued resources.
• A transparent and stable regulatory environment is needed to attract investment.
• This can help diversify economies and reduce reliance on resource exports.

Strategy 8: Focus on Human Capital Development

• Education and health are critical for long-term growth.
• Tertiary education is particularly important for e-services and technological advancement.
• Neglect of education has been a major cost for landlocked countries.

Strategy 9: Regional Cooperation and Integration

• Regional trade agreements and shared infrastructure projects are essential.
• Coastal countries need to reduce trade barriers and invest in transport networks.
• Landlocked countries must push for better access and regional integration.

Conclusion

• Africa's economic growth is shaped by its distinctive geography and political fragmentation.
• Tailored policies are necessary for each geographic group.
• Regional cooperation and improved infrastructure are crucial for landlocked, resource-scarce countries.
• International support is also important, especially in creating fair trade environments and investment-friendly policies.

Key Information

• The paper is part of the Commission on Growth and Development series, supported by various international organizations.
• It emphasizes the importance of regional integration and good governance in improving economic performance.
• The distribution of population across geographic groups is a key factor in Africa's slower growth.
• Landlocked countries face unique challenges and require specific strategies to overcome them.
• Coastal countries can play a critical role in enabling growth through trade and infrastructure.