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Aid and Resource Mobilisation in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Role of Reverse Flows

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  • John Serieux

Abstract

This article seeks to ascertain the role of 'reverse flows' in explaining the observed limited impact of aid on resource mobilisation in Sub-Saharan Africa. It departs from the previous empirical literature on aid and resource mobilisation by abandoning the pervasive, but untenable, assumption that aid either displaces domestic saving (increases consumption) or increases investment. Some aid is, in fact, used to finance reverse flows (debt servicing, capital flight, and reserve accumulation). The evidence suggests that, for the period covering 1980 to 2006, nearly 50 per cent of aid to Sub-Saharan African countries was used to finance reverse flows.

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  • John Serieux, 2011. "Aid and Resource Mobilisation in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Role of Reverse Flows," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(7), pages 1080-1107.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:47:y:2011:i:7:p:1080-1107
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2010.509789
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    1. Hristos Doucouliagos & Martin Paldam, 2006. "Aid Effectiveness on Accumulation: A Meta Study," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(2), pages 227-254, May.
    2. Ndikumana, Leonce & Boyce, James K., 2003. "Public Debts and Private Assets: Explaining Capital Flight from Sub-Saharan African Countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 107-130, January.
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    7. Weisskopf, Thomas E., 1972. "The impact of foreign capital inflow on domestic savings in underdeveloped countries," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 2(1), pages 25-38, February.
    8. Levy, Victor, 1988. "Aid and growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: The recent experience," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(9), pages 1777-1795, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fischer, A.M., 2017. "Dilemmas of externally financing domestic expenditures: Rethinking the political economy of aid and social protection through the monetary transformation dilemma," ISS Working Papers - General Series 629, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    2. Mehrotra, Rahul & Carbonnier, Gilles, 2021. "Abnormal pricing in international commodity trade: Empirical evidence from Switzerland," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Workneh, Migbaru Alamirew & Francken, Nathalie, 2015. "A review of the impact of foreign aid on domestic saving," MPRA Paper 92174, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 13 Feb 2019.
    4. Chor Foon Tang & Kean Siang Ch’ng, 2012. "A Multivariate Analysis of the Nexus between Savings and Economic Growth in the ASEAN-5 Economies," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 6(3), pages 385-406, August.
    5. Anupam Das & Murshed Chowdhury, 2019. "Macroeconomic impacts of remittances in Bangladesh: The role of reverse flows," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 48(3), November.
    6. Kizito Uyi Ehigiamusoe & Suresh Ramakrishnan & Sikiru Jimoh Babalola & Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan & Siti Rahyla Rahmat, 2024. "Analysis of the Moderating Roles of Human and Physical Capital on the Impact of Foreign Aid on Economic Growth in Nigeria," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(1), pages 21582440241, March.
    7. Fischer, A.M., 2016. "Aid and the symbiosis of global redistribution and development: Comparative historical lessons from two icons of development studies," ISS Working Papers - General Series 618, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    8. Anupam Das, 2011. "External Resources and Savings Rate: A Pooled Mean Group Analysis for Developing Countries," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 3(1), pages 51-62.
    9. Workneh, Migbaru Alamirew, 2018. "Poverty and unemployment in Spain during the 2008's financial crises," MPRA Paper 92145, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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