Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Ethiopia

Abstract

This article analyses the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on Ethiopia’s economic growth. For this purpose, it uses Vector Autoregressions (VARs) model for the period comprised by years 1981-2017. It finds that FDI had a significant positive impact on Ethiopia’s economic growth for both the short and long-run periods. Adequate human capital and stable macroeconomic envirornment have catalysed the contribution of FDI to economic growth. Gross fixed capital formation and government consumption exerted a negative and significant effects on economic growth during the period of interest. Moreover, the study reveals that there is no causal relationship between FDI and economic development. Ethiopia needs to open up the economy and restructure the financial sector to attract foreign multinational companies (MNC), especially in the manufacturing and agro-industry sectors. Human capital investment should be strength to absorb more foreign direct investment and transform the agricultural-based economy to a modern one. Effective budgeting system and prioritisation of government consumption will support a more rapidly growing economy.