Botswana: A note for economic diversification

An article in Botswana Journal of Economics (Vol 7, No 11, 2010) reveals that despite a series of supportive policies over the years, economic diversification remains an obscurity for Botswana. The economy remains heavily dependent on diamond mining, while the private sector, considered pivotal in the strategy for diversification, continues to be shallow and narrow, with weak inter sectoral diversity and production links. Click here to access the full paper. 

Southern African Economic integration: evidence from an augmented gravity model

The paper investigates the feasibility of creating a common-currence union consisting of 16 countries in Southern Africa. It estimates an augmented-gravity model that includes public deficit, public debt, public expenditure, inflation and the foreign reserves position. The paper shows that the prospect for further integration in Southern Africa is promising, but challenges persist. Existing economic blocs can provide a stepping stone to a larger single currency union but countries have to continuously exercise good governance and fiscal displine. Click here for the full paper.

Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa - April 2011

This Regional Economic Outlook shows that Sub-Saharan Africa's economic recovery is well under way, but there are variations in the speed of the recovery from country to country. In most of the region's low-income countries and among the seven oil exporters growth is almost back to precrisis levels. However, in the region's middle-income countries, including South Africa, the recovery has been more gradual. sharp increases in food and fuel prices will need fiscal interventions targeting the poor....Click here for more details.