Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation Index

This study investigates the critical role of structural transformation in African economies and its significance for inclusive growth, utilizing the African Transformation Index (ATI). The core focus is to understand how structural transformation influences economic growth and to highlight key facto...

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Main Author: Eugene Msizi Buthelezi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Economics & Finance
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2024.2426527
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author Eugene Msizi Buthelezi
author_facet Eugene Msizi Buthelezi
author_sort Eugene Msizi Buthelezi
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the critical role of structural transformation in African economies and its significance for inclusive growth, utilizing the African Transformation Index (ATI). The core focus is to understand how structural transformation influences economic growth and to highlight key factors driving this process. By employing a Cobb-Douglas production function and panel quantile regression analysis on data from 30 African countries from 2000 to 2022, the research aims to fill a gap in the literature on African economic development. The major findings reveal that the ATI positively impacts GDP per capita growth rates, especially at lower quantiles, indicating that structural transformation is vital for inclusive growth. Conversely, diversification negatively affects growth, highlighting the challenges of overly diversified economies. Additionally, export competitiveness and productivity improvements contribute positively to growth, while technology upgrading shows significant impact mainly at lower quantiles. Human well-being is identified as a crucial driver of growth, particularly at middle quantiles. The significance of these findings lies in their policy implications: prioritizing structural transformation, enhancing export competitiveness, improving productivity, and focusing on human well-being are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa. This research provides empirical evidence on the importance of structural transformation and offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to foster sustainable development in African economies.
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spelling doaj-art-9c23ce6c1f4c42bbb92c442f36082d2b2025-08-20T02:18:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Economics & Finance2332-20392024-12-0112110.1080/23322039.2024.2426527Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation IndexEugene Msizi Buthelezi0Department of Economics and Finance, The University of Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South AfricaThis study investigates the critical role of structural transformation in African economies and its significance for inclusive growth, utilizing the African Transformation Index (ATI). The core focus is to understand how structural transformation influences economic growth and to highlight key factors driving this process. By employing a Cobb-Douglas production function and panel quantile regression analysis on data from 30 African countries from 2000 to 2022, the research aims to fill a gap in the literature on African economic development. The major findings reveal that the ATI positively impacts GDP per capita growth rates, especially at lower quantiles, indicating that structural transformation is vital for inclusive growth. Conversely, diversification negatively affects growth, highlighting the challenges of overly diversified economies. Additionally, export competitiveness and productivity improvements contribute positively to growth, while technology upgrading shows significant impact mainly at lower quantiles. Human well-being is identified as a crucial driver of growth, particularly at middle quantiles. The significance of these findings lies in their policy implications: prioritizing structural transformation, enhancing export competitiveness, improving productivity, and focusing on human well-being are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa. This research provides empirical evidence on the importance of structural transformation and offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to foster sustainable development in African economies.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2024.2426527African transformation IndexCobb-Douglas production functioninclusive growthpanel quantile regressionstructural transformationDevelopment Studies
spellingShingle Eugene Msizi Buthelezi
Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation Index
Cogent Economics & Finance
African transformation Index
Cobb-Douglas production function
inclusive growth
panel quantile regression
structural transformation
Development Studies
title Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation Index
title_full Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation Index
title_fullStr Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation Index
title_full_unstemmed Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation Index
title_short Transformative pathways: understanding economic growth in Africa using the African Transformation Index
title_sort transformative pathways understanding economic growth in africa using the african transformation index
topic African transformation Index
Cobb-Douglas production function
inclusive growth
panel quantile regression
structural transformation
Development Studies
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2024.2426527
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