Globalisation outcomes and the real output in the sub-Saharan Africa LICs: a cointegration analysis

Abstract

This article examines the effects of trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI), and product diversification of exports to the real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 11 sub-Saharan Africa Low Income Countries (LIC): Benin, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe over the period 1970-2010. We consider time series analysis, including structural break(s) and cointegration modelling. The results indicate that long-run relationships only exist in Kenya, Liberia, Malawi and Sierra Leone. We also document that (1) FDI spurs the real GDP per capita in Kenya; (2) trade openness positively contributes to the real output in Liberia; (3) trade openness is negatively associated with the real GDP per capita in Malawi in the short-run; and (4) product diversification of exports promotes the real GDP per capita in Sierra Leone.