Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in ECOWAS: A System-GMM Approach

Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences, Vol. 5 No. 2

22 Pages Posted: 6 Aug 2014 Last revised: 22 Oct 2014

Date Written: August 5, 2014

Abstract

The paper investigates the relationship between foreign direct investment and economic growth in ECOWAS using the System-GMM panel estimation technique covering the period 1970-2011.The study adopted System-GMM in order to overcome the weaknesses perceived in the empirical works of earlier studies; majority of these studies failed to control for the presumed challenges of endogeneity inherent in the FDI-Growth argument. The study likewise interacted human capital and institutions indicators with other explanatory variables in explaining the variability of FDI. The results of the System-GMM appears contrary to earlier studies, as the contribution of FDI was insignificant and impacts negatively on growth in ECOWAS despite the controlling for the role of human capital and quality of institutions in the model. Following this outcome, policy makers in developing Africa needs to exercise cautions in adopting the recommendation from earlier studies; most of which advocates more openness, advancing human capital development and strengthening institutions. This might not be completely helpful considering the pattern of FDI inflow into ECOWAS, which is absolutely resource-seeking. There is need to curtail excessive openness in the extractive industries, encouraging more manufacturing FDI and domestic investment of repatriated capital by ensuring more economic stability and raising domestic interest rate.

Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Growth, System-GMM

JEL Classification: F21, O43, C23

Suggested Citation

Alege, Philip Olasupo and Ogundipe, Adeyemi, Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in ECOWAS: A System-GMM Approach (August 5, 2014). Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences, Vol. 5 No. 2, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2476365 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2476365

Philip Olasupo Alege

Covenant University ( email )

P.M.B. 1023
Km 10 Idiroko road
Ota, Ogun State 234
Nigeria

Adeyemi Ogundipe (Contact Author)

Covenant University ( email )

Canaanland
Km 10 Idiroko road
Ota, 24001
Nigeria
+2348161927372 (Phone)

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