Overview

Abstract

For a growing number of African economies the discovery of natural resources is a tremendous opportunity, but one accompanied by considerable risks. Many African countries dependent on oil, gas, and mining have weaker long-run growth, higher rates of poverty and greater income inequality than their less resource-dependent neighbours. One major risk comes from the structure of resource-rich economies themselves. Relative prices make it more difficult to diversify into internationally competitive activities outside the resource sector, thus narrowing the scope for structural change. This chapter focuses on how countries can use natural resources to diversify. Drawing on country-level evidence it explores three key themes: the institutions needed to manage a resource boom, the construction sector, and linking industry to the resource.