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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. 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. Oshikoya, Temitope W, 1994. "Macroeconomic Determinants of Domestic Private Investment in Africa: An Empirical Analysis," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 42(3), pages 573-596, April.
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    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. Workneh, Migbaru Alamirew, 2018. "Poverty and unemployment in Spain during the 2008's financial crises," MPRA Paper 92145, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.

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