On the Link Between FDI, Political Risk and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Panel VAR Approach

Abstract

This study looks at how foreign direct investment from other countries helps grow economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. But it not just about Foreign direct investment; the quality of institution in those countries also play a big role. We're exploring how foreign direct investment, political risks, and economic growth all connect. Using a Panel Vector Auto-Regressive (PVAR) approach with a sample of 28 sub-Saharan African countries over the period 1996–2016, the empirical results reveal that FDI positively relates to internal conflicts and political stability in Sub-Saharan African countries. However, the effects of economic growth and external conflicts are negative and significant. In addition, FDI and internal and external conflicts affect positively and significantly economic growth. However, the effect of political stability on economic growth is negative and significant. On the other hand, the interaction between foreign direct investment and political stability is negative and insignificant. Finally, the internal and external conflicts are negatively affected by foreign direct investment, yet they are positively influenced by political stability. These findings have important policy implications. If Sub-Saharan Africa is to realize its economic growth agenda, policymakers should promote FDI inflows to sub-Saharan African countries by improving their institutional quality by boosting political stability and reducing internal and external conflicts.