On the Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment to Developing Countries: Is Africa Different?
24 Pages Posted: 11 Sep 2001
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On the Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment to Developing Countries: Is Africa Different?
Date Written: July 2001
Abstract
This paper analyzes the determinants of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to developing countries and examines why Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been relatively unsuccessful in attracting FDI despite policy reform. The results indicate that the factors that drive FDI have a differential impact on FDI flows to SSA. Specifically, infrastructure development and a higher return on capital promote FDI to non-SSA countries. In contrast these factors have no effect on FDI to SSA. Openness to trade promotes FDI to both SSA and non-SSA countries, however, the marginal benefit from increased openness is less for SSA-suggesting that trade liberalization will generate more FDI to non-SSA countries than SSA countries. Another important finding is that there is an "adverse regional effect" for SSA: a country in SSA will receive less FDI by virtue of its geographical location. These results suggest that Africa is different!
Keywords: Africa, Foreign Direct Investment, Developing Countries
JEL Classification: F23, O55, G32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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