When Does Export Diversification Improve Economic Growth? A Comparative Analysis of Sub-Saharan African Countries

Abstract

There has been increased interest in promoting export diversification as a means of ensuring sustainable growth in most developing countries. Yet, the arguments on the relationships between export diversity and economic growth is not settled in literature, with mixed findings concerning the sign and size of the correlation. This study assesses the relationship between export diversification and economic growth in selected Sub-Saharan African countries. Employing fixed effect and generalised least square regression models, with data from the World Bank, the findings show that a U-shaped relationship between export concentration and economic growth: the study finds a positive non-significant relationship for low-income countries, a positive and significant relationship for lower-middle-income countries and negative though not significant relationship for upper-middle-income countries.