IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijfss/v7y2019i3p43-d256918.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Determinants of FDI in Sub-Saharan Economies: A Study of Data from 1990–2017

Author

Listed:
  • Prince Jaiblai

    (Independent Researcher, University of Westminster, London W1W 7BY, UK)

  • Vijay Shenai

    (Independent Researcher, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK)

Abstract

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can bring in much needed capital, particularly to developing countries, help improve manufacturing and trade sectors, bring in more efficient technologies, increase local production and exports, create jobs and develop local skills, and bring about improvements in infrastructure and overall be a contributor to sustainable economic growth. With all these desirable features, it becomes relevant to ascertain the factors which attract FDI to an economy or a group of adjacent economies. This paper explores the determinants of FDI in ten sub-Saharan economies: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Cameroun, and Senegal. After an extensive literature review of theories and empirical research, using a set of cross-sectional data over the period 1990–2017, two econometric models are estimated with FDI/GDP (the ratio of Foreign Direct Investment to Gross Domestic Product) as the dependent variable, and with inflation, exchange rate changes, openness, economy size (GDP), income levels (GNI/capita (Gross National Income) per capita), and infrastructure as the independent variables. Over the period, higher inflows of FDI in relation to GDP appear to be have been attracted to the markets with better infrastructure, smaller markets, and lower income levels, with higher openness and depreciation in the exchange rate, though the coefficients of the last two variables are not significant. These results show the type of FDI attracted to investments in this region and are evaluated from theoretical and practical viewpoints. FDI is an important source of finance for developing economies. On average, between 2013 and 2017, FDI accounted for 39 percent of external finance for developing economies. Policy guidelines are formulated for the enhancement of FDI inflows and further economic development in this region. Such a study of this region has not been made in the recent past.

Suggested Citation

  • Prince Jaiblai & Vijay Shenai, 2019. "The Determinants of FDI in Sub-Saharan Economies: A Study of Data from 1990–2017," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-31, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:7:y:2019:i:3:p:43-:d:256918
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7072/7/3/43/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7072/7/3/43/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Levent Kosekahyaoglu, 2006. "A comparative analysis of FDI in Turkey and the CEECs: Is there any link between FDI and trade?," Journal of Business Economics and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(4), pages 183-200.
    2. Karkinsky, Tom & Riedel, Nadine, 2012. "Corporate taxation and the choice of patent location within multinational firms," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 176-185.
    3. Phonesavanh Xaypanya & Poomthan Rangkakulnuwat & Sasiwimon Warunsiri Paweenawat, 2015. "The determinants of foreign direct investment in ASEAN," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 42(3), pages 239-250, March.
    4. Mehdi Behname, 2012. "Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: Evidence from Southern Asia," Economic Analysis Working Papers (2002-2010). Atlantic Review of Economics (2011-2016), Colexio de Economistas de A Coruña, Spain and Fundación Una Galicia Moderna, vol. 2, pages 1-1, December.
    5. Becker, Johannes & Fuest, Clemens & Riedel, Nadine, 2012. "Corporate tax effects on the quality and quantity of FDI," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(8), pages 1495-1511.
    6. John Anyanwu, 2006. "Promoting of Investment in Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 18(1), pages 42-71.
    7. John H. Dunning, 1977. "Trade, Location of Economic Activity and the MNE: A Search for an Eclectic Approach," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Bertil Ohlin & Per-Ove Hesselborn & Per Magnus Wijkman (ed.), The International Allocation of Economic Activity, chapter 12, pages 395-418, Palgrave Macmillan.
    8. Culem, Claudy G., 1988. "The locational determinants of direct investments among industrialized countries," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 885-904, April.
    9. Kravis, Irving B. & Lipsey, Robert E., 1982. "The location of overseas production and production for export by U.S. multinational firms," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3-4), pages 201-223, May.
    10. Jones, Chris & Temouri, Yama, 2016. "The determinants of tax haven FDI," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(2), pages 237-250.
    11. Asiedu, Elizabeth, 2002. "On the Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment to Developing Countries: Is Africa Different?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 107-119, January.
    12. Khalid Sekkat & Marie‐Ange Veganzones‐Varoudakis, 2007. "Openness, Investment Climate, and FDI in Developing Countries," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(4), pages 607-620, November.
    13. Jiangyan Yu & Mr. James P Walsh, 2010. "Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: A Sectoral and Institutional Approach," IMF Working Papers 2010/187, International Monetary Fund.
    14. Raymond Vernon, 1966. "International Investment and International Trade in the Product Cycle," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 80(2), pages 190-207.
    15. K. C. Fung & Alicia Garcia‐Herrero & Hitomi Iizaka & Alan Siu, 2005. "Hard Or Soft? Institutional Reforms And Infrastructure Spending As Determinants Of Foreign Direct Investment In China," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 56(4), pages 408-416, December.
    16. repec:bla:kyklos:v:54:y:2001:i:1:p:89-113 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Fedderke, J.W. & Romm, A.T., 2006. "Growth impact and determinants of foreign direct investment into South Africa, 1956-2003," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 738-760, September.
    18. Foellmi, Reto & Hanslin Grossmann, Sandra & Kohler, Andreas, 2018. "A dynamic North-South model of demand-induced product cycles," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 63-86.
    19. Abu Nurudeen, Obida Gobna Wafure & Elisha Menson Auta, 2011. "Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: The Case of Nigeria," The IUP Journal of Monetary Economics, IUP Publications, vol. 0(3), pages 50-67, August.
    20. Schneider, Friedrich & Frey, Bruno S., 1985. "Economic and political determinants of foreign direct investment," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 161-175, February.
    21. Cushman, David O, 1985. "Real Exchange Rate Risk, Expectations, and the Level of Direct Investment," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 67(2), pages 297-308, May.
    22. Stephen Hymer, 1972. "The Internationalization of Capital," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 91-111, March.
    23. Alex Ehimare OMANKHANLEN, 2011. "The Effect of Exchange Rate and Inflation on Foreign Direct Investment and Its Relationship with Economic Growth in Nigeria," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 1, pages 5-16.
    24. Yuqing Xing & Guanghua Wan, 2006. "Exchange Rates and Competition for FDI in Asia," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 419-434, April.
    25. Sebastian Edwards, 1990. "Capital Flows, Foreign Direct Investment, and Debt-Equity Swaps in Developing Countries," NBER Working Papers 3497, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    26. Ang, James B., 2008. "Determinants of foreign direct investment in Malaysia," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 185-189.
    27. Andrew Abbott & David O. Cushman & Glauco De Vita, 2012. "Exchange Rate Regimes and Foreign Direct Investment Flows to Developing Countries," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(1), pages 95-107, February.
    28. Avik Chakrabarti, 2001. "The Determinants of Foreign Direct Investments: Sensitivity Analyses of Cross‐Country Regressions," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(1), pages 89-114, February.
    29. Wheeler, David & Mody, Ashoka, 1992. "International investment location decisions : The case of U.S. firms," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(1-2), pages 57-76, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Niaz Morshed & Mohammad Razib Hossain, 2022. "Causality analysis of the determinants of FDI in Bangladesh: fresh evidence from VAR, VECM and Granger causality approach," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(7), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Arogundade, Sodiq & Biyase, Mduduzi & Eita, Joel Hinaunye, 2022. "Do Sovereign Credit Ratings Matter for Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence from Sub-Sahara African Countries," MPRA Paper 115404, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Kashif Munir & Mehwish Iftikhar, 2021. "Impact of Transport and Technological Infrastructure in Attracting FDI in Pakistan," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 7, pages 93-106.
    4. Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage Malsha Mayoshi & Epuran Gheorghe, 2022. "The impact of trade openness on FDI inflows in Asian emerging economies," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 16(1), pages 228-238, August.
    5. Johnson Adelakun & Kanayo Ogujiuba, 2023. "A Comparative Analysis of the Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: The Case of Top Ten Recipients of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Paravee Maneejuk & Woraphon Yamaka, 2021. "The Role of Economic Contagion in the Inward Investment of Emerging Economies: The Dynamic Conditional Copula Approach," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(20), pages 1-23, October.
    7. Grivas Chiyaba, 2021. "The components and determinants of FDI within firms: A case study of Zambia," Economics Discussion Papers em-dp2021-09, Department of Economics, University of Reading.
    8. Abdelhak Senadjki & Samuel Ogbeibu & Chee Yin Yip & Hui Nee Au Yong & Mourad Senadjki, 2021. "The impact of corruption and university education on African innovation: evidence from emerging African economies," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(5), pages 1-26, May.
    9. Gbenga Festus Babarinde, 2020. "The Role of Foreign Direct Investment in Stock Market Development in Nigeria: A Test of Complementarity," The Review of Finance and Banking, Academia de Studii Economice din Bucuresti, Romania / Facultatea de Finante, Asigurari, Banci si Burse de Valori / Catedra de Finante, vol. 12(2), pages 175-187, December.
    10. Mbiankeu Nguea, Stéphane & KAGUENDO, Ulrich Vianney Elisée, 2022. "Are growth effects of foreign capital significant for increasing access to electricity in Africa?," MPRA Paper 111604, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Woraphon Yamaka & Paravee Maneejuk, 2022. "Does the US Contagion Risk Affect Foreign Direct Investment Inflows in Emerging Economies?," PIER Discussion Papers 192, Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
    12. Awad, Atif & Albaity, Mohamed, 2022. "ICT and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Transmission channels and effects," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(8).
    13. Yuanyuan Hao, 2023. "The dynamic relationship between trade openness, foreign direct investment, capital formation, and industrial economic growth in China: new evidence from ARDL bounds testing approach," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    14. Mbiankeu Nguea, Stéphane, 2021. "The Impact of Infrastructure development on Foreign Direct Investment in Cameroon," MPRA Paper 108372, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Mohd Shahidan Shaari & Muhamad Huzaifah Asbullah & Noorazeela Zainol Abidin & Zulkefly Abdul Karim & Benjamin Nangle, 2023. "Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN+3 Countries: The Role of Environmental Degradation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    16. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2021. "The Impact of Infrastructure development on Foreign Direct Investment in Cameroon," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(3), pages 1113-1124.
    17. Yaya Keho, 2020. "Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Trade Balance: Evidence from Cote d’Ivoire," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(7), pages 113-113, July.
    18. Mbiankeu Nguea, Stéphane & Kaguendo, Ulrich Vianney Elisée & Noumba, Issidor, 2022. "Are growth effects of foreign capital significant for increasing access to electricity in Africa?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    19. Humaira Raffat & Danish Ahmed Siddiqui, 2020. "Does Openness, and Productivity Matters for FDI: A Global Interactive Analysis Based on the Complementary Role of Institutions," Issues in Economics and Business, Macrothink Institute, vol. 6(2), pages 1-21, December.
    20. Kimiagari, Salman & Mahbobi, Mohammad & Toolsee, Tushika, 2023. "Attracting and retaining FDI: Africa gas and oil sector," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    21. Aastha Khera & Neelam Dhanda, 2020. "Empirical Relationship between Macroeconomic Variables and Stock Prices of Indian Banking Sector: A Vector Error Correction Model Approach," The Review of Finance and Banking, Academia de Studii Economice din Bucuresti, Romania / Facultatea de Finante, Asigurari, Banci si Burse de Valori / Catedra de Finante, vol. 12(2), pages 189-198, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. John C. Anyanwu, 2012. "Why Does Foreign Direct Investment Go Where It Goes?: New Evidence From African Countries," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 13(2), pages 425-462, November.
    2. Fosu, Prince, 2016. "Infrastructure and Foreign Direct Investment Inflows: Evidence from Ghana," MPRA Paper 100375, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 13 May 2020.
    3. Muzurura, Joe, 2016. "Determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Zimbabwe: What factors matter?," MPRA Paper 99873, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 04 Jun 2016.
    4. John Anyanwu, 2011. "Working Paper 136 - Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment Inflows to Africa, 1980-2007," Working Paper Series 327, African Development Bank.
    5. Suborna Barua & Junnatun Naym & Hazera-Tun-Nessa, 2017. "Economic Climate, Infrastructure and FDI: Global Evidence with New Dimensions," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 16(1), pages 31-48, June.
    6. Bilgili, Faik & Tülüce, Nadide Sevil Halıcı & Doğan, İbrahim, 2012. "The determinants of FDI in Turkey: A Markov Regime-Switching approach," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 1161-1169.
    7. Xie, En & Reddy, K.S. & Liang, Jie, 2017. "Country-specific determinants of cross-border mergers and acquisitions: A comprehensive review and future research directions," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 127-183.
    8. Lim, Sung-Hoon, 2008. "How investment promotion affects attracting foreign direct investment: Analytical argument and empirical analyses," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 39-53, February.
    9. Makun, Keshmeer Kanewar, 2016. "Direct Foreign Investment and its Determinants: A Case Study - Gli investimenti diretti esteri e loro determinanti : studio di un caso," Economia Internazionale / International Economics, Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura di Genova, vol. 69(2), pages 151-174.
    10. Sekkat, Khalid, 2012. "Manufactured Exports and FDI in Southern Mediterranean Countries: Evolution, determinants and prospects," CEPS Papers 6849, Centre for European Policy Studies.
    11. Marc Audi & Amjad Ali & Yannick Roussel, 2021. "Aggregate and Disaggregate Natural Resources Agglomeration and Foreign Direct Investment in France," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 11(1), pages 147-156.
    12. de Boyrie Maria E, 2010. "Structural Changes, Causality, and Foreign Direct Investments: Evidence from the Asian Crises of 1997," Global Economy Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 9(4), pages 1-40, January.
    13. Manamba Epaphra, 2018. "An Econometric Analysis of the Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 21(67), pages 63-97, March.
    14. Raphael Chiappini & François Viaud, 2021. "Macroeconomic, institutional, and sectoral determinants of outward foreign direct investment: Evidence from Japan," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 404-433, August.
    15. Zainab Jehan & Azooba Hamid, 2017. "Exchange rate volatility and capital inflows: role of financial development," Portuguese Economic Journal, Springer;Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, vol. 16(3), pages 189-203, December.
    16. Akhtaruzzaman, M. & Berg, Nathan & Hajzler, Christopher, 2017. "Expropriation risk and FDI in developing countries: Does return of capital dominate return on capital?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 84-107.
    17. Muhammad Tariq Majeed & Eatzaz Ahmad, 2009. "An Analysis of Host Country Characteristics that Determine FDI in Developing Countries: Recent Panel Data Evidence," Lahore Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, The Lahore School of Economics, vol. 14(2), pages 71-96, Jul-Dec.
    18. Zhang, Huiying & Yang, Xiaohui, 2016. "Trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights agreements and the upsurge in foreign direct investment in developing countries," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 91-99.
    19. Isabel Faeth, 2009. "Determinants Of Foreign Direct Investment – A Tale Of Nine Theoretical Models," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(1), pages 165-196, February.
    20. Meyer, Daniel Francois & Habanabakize, Thomas, 2018. "An analysis of the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI), political risk and economic growth in South Africa," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 14(4), pages 777-788, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:7:y:2019:i:3:p:43-:d:256918. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.