Abstract

Since 2004, many sub-Saharan commodity-exporting countries have experienced a boom in commodity prices. Rising commodity prices offer many opportunities to a resource-rich continent. On the other hand, they pose a significant threat to governance, macroeconomic management, industrial development, the environment and the sociopolitical fabric. Sub-Saharan Africa needs to develop a strategic response to the boom in commodities prices, which has already been more long-lived and less volatile than previous spikes.

This grant will assess the opportunities opened by rising commodity prices to between five and eight sub-Saharan country producers of minerals and energy. The idea is to help them minimize the potential costs of the boom and maximize the opportunities in terms of sustainable growth and widespread access to the fruits of that growth in a context of good governance. The project is expected to result in a minimum of two published papers per country, one book and briefing materials for policymakers.

Recipient Institution(s)