Search

Begin New Search Topic Diversification Political Geography Africa Content Type Policy Brief Publication Year within 25 Years

1. Understanding the Firm-Level Export Diversification Characteristics in Botswana

Author:
Pinkie Gertrude Kebakile
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
This Policy Brief unravels interesting insights pertaining to firm-level export diversification characteristics in Botswana, which is an approach that views export diversification at the micro-level. The following are the key highlights from the Policy Brief: • Exporters whose export portfolios are varied in terms of products and export markets, commonly referred to as multi-product multi-destination exporters in the literature fetch high export values, which is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth in the country. • The growth and diversification of Botswana’s export bundle is undermined by the exporters’ inability to break into new export markets. • The main policy message is therefore that to transition from the upper-middle income status to high-income status by 2036, the country needs to nurture and develop the multi-product multi-destination exporters. Targeted interventions aimed at developing these exporters are therefore called for.
Topic:
Business, Economic Growth, Diversification, Exports, and Trade
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

2. Better livelihoods through income diversification in Tanzania

Author:
Oliver Morrissey and Milla Nyyssölä
Publication Date:
04-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Diversifying income sources is an important livelihood strategy for households in low-income countries. Having several sources of income helps in increasing total income, and in spreading the risks. New findings on the benefits of income diversification from Tanzanian households can inform policy aiming to develop welfare at the grassroots level and beyond.
Topic:
Labor Issues, Diversification, and Livelihoods
Political Geography:
Africa and Tanzania

3. Industries without smokestacks: Industrialization in Africa reconsidered

Author:
Richard Newfarmer and John Page
Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Our research shows that structural change in Africa is relying on a new set of economic activities, called ‘industries without smokestacks’, created by recent technological changes and a changing global market place. Adopting a broad concept of industrialization is crucial to recognizing that manufacturing, while important, is not everything. However, a lot needs to be done internationally, regionally and at the country-level to push these unique drivers of structural change.
Topic:
Development, Economic Growth, Investment, Diversification, and Industry
Political Geography:
Africa

4. Export Diversification and Infrastructure: The Cost of Utilities for Business

Author:
Margaret Sengwaketse
Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
This policy brief focuses on the role of infrastructure and, in particular, the cost of utilities and their impact on export growth and diversification. The availability of and access to infrastructure s an essential prerequisite for the competitiveness of firms and countries in world markets. Inadequate access--in terms of cost and availability--to water, power supplies and telecommunications make it difficult for firms to operate efficiently.
Topic:
Infrastructure, Diversification, Exports, and Utilities
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

5. Trade Facilitation and Export Diversification in Botswana Part I: Customs and Border Procedures

Author:
Margaret Sengwaketse
Publication Date:
04-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
This policy brief focuses on customs and border procedures in Botswana and their role on export diversification initiatives. Customs is at the centre of trade facilitation because it is where the majority of administrative and procedural requirements involved in the movement of goods are and where the highest potential gains in trade facilitation are to be found. The policy brief is based on the findings of the 2005 BIDPA and World Bank study entitled "Diversifying Botswana's Exports: An Overview."
Topic:
Economy, Borders, Diversification, Exports, Trade, and Customs
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

6. Trade Facilitation and Export Diversification in Botswana Part II: Transport

Author:
Margaret Sengwaketse
Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
This brief reviews the contribution that transportation makes to trade facilitation in Botswana. As a landlocked, export-driven economy, efficient transport and transit procedures are important to support competitiveness and export growth. Transport costs are particularly important to landlocked countries, where the additional distances to be covered can increase product prices, undermine the competitiveness of exports, and generally make it more difficult to compete in international markets. The policy brief draws from the findings of the 2005 BIDPA and World Bank study entitled "Diversifying Botswana's Exports: An Overview," as well as other relevant studies.
Topic:
Markets, Diversification, Trade, Transportation, and Customs
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

7. Export Diversification: Is it Really Necessary for Botswana?

Author:
Joel Sentsho
Publication Date:
12-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Even though Botswana gained independence as a very poor country in 1966, over the last three decades the country has risen to the level of a middle income developing country. The country’s GDP growth averaged about 9 percent over the fi rst three decades of independence and was thus comparable to that of the East Asian Tigers. Perhaps the only disadvantage with this impressive growth is that it was and continues to be fuelled by the primary sector, particularly diamond mining, although copper/nickel and beef were also important in the earlier years. As early as 1982, the Government of Botswana recognized that dependence on a narrow range of exports was undesirable and could have adverse long-term consequences, and that export diversifi cation was necessary. However, despite numerous policies aimed at achieving export diversifi cation, it appears that there has not been much success, and while sustained high rates of economic growth have been achieved this has remained dependent upon the primary export sector, mainly diamonds. This raises fundamental questions: Is export diversification really necessary for Botswana? Could Botswana not continue into the future and achieve the ideals of Vision 2016 through continued primary export growth? These questions will form the focus of this policy brief. The main objective of this Policy Brief is to explore the reasons why Botswana continues to pursue the export diversifi cation strategy in spite of its limited success over the years. The Policy Brief is based on the BIDPA-World Bank study entitled “Diversifying Botswana’s Exports: An Overview”, fi nalized in July 2005, which argues strongly that export diversifi cation still needs to be pursued by Botswana. This policy brief will summarise the reasons advanced by the study for the pursuit of export diversification and make recommendations on the way forward.
Topic:
Development, Economy, Diversification, and Exports
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

8. Abundant Resource Endowment: A Basis for Successful Economic Diversifi cation

Author:
Joel Sentsho
Publication Date:
12-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
It is widely accepted that achieving sustainable economic growth and development for resource-based economies must be based on economic diversifi cation. An economy is said to be diversifi ed if it has reached a level of industrial and economic development in which “no sector of the economy may be singled out as a major engine of economic growth.” For many resource-based economies, such as those based on minerals or agriculture, this economic diversifi cation appears to have been elusive, prompting some analysts of resource-based development to argue that resource-based economies are hard to industrialize and diversify. This policy brief agues this the “resource curse”, although widespread, is not inevitable, because abundant resource endowment also provides advantages that can enhance the potential for economic diversifi cation when appropriate policy choices are made. This policy brief discusses the reasons for pessimism in resource-based economic development, resulting in failure to achieve economic diversifi cation and sustainable economic growth. It then looks at why resource abundance can support successful economic diversifi cation. Finally, the policy brief outlines the policies that result from the two scenarios and concludes that there is reason for successful economic diversifi cation in resource-based economies provided appropriate policies are chosen and implemented.
Topic:
Economics, Economic Growth, Diversification, and Resource Management
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

9. Botswana’s Enabling Environment for Economic Diversification: Plugging the Holes

Author:
Victoria Ndzinge-Anderson
Publication Date:
12-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
It is widely recognized that economies endowed with natural resources and highly dependent on one or two primary commodities for exports are susceptible to exogenous shocks that can lead to fl uctuations in export earnings. The unpredictable nature of export earnings from primary products, especially when a narrow range of such products is exported, makes it diffi cult for countries to plan and allocate their resources effi ciently, thereby hindering sustainable economic growth and development. This is particularly evident in countries where backward and forward linkages are limited or non-existent within and between resource-based sectors and the rest of the economy. The uncertainty over the stability of future output growth that often characterizes resource-abundant economies can be countered to some extent by economic diversi fi cation, which calls for the broadening of the range of products and services produced for export. This may include broadening the range of primary products exported, so as to reduce dependence on a narrow range of primary export products and avoid the associated vulnerabilities. Diversi fi cation may include increasing the degree of processing of primary products prior to export, which can lead to additional local value added and reduced dependence on primary product markets. More generally, diversi fi cation is usually understood to include the production of a range of industrial and service exports. Depending on the nature of the products, this can be a skilled labourintensive and technology-driven process that transfers growth-enhancing spillover bene fi ts to the rest of the economy and promotes sustainable economic growth. It is generally accepted that the private sector, de fi ned as all economic activities not produced by the public sector, is the most powerful tool for achieving economic diversi fi cation. It induces a spiral effect on foreign and domestic investment, growth, employment, productivity and poverty alleviation. Stimulating economic diversi fi cation through broadening the range of export products requires new investment in a range of activities, which is itself dependent upon the nature of the enabling environment for both domestic and foreign investment. Botswana’s enabling environment for investment was assessed in a Report prepared by BIDPA and World Bank entitled “Diversifying Botswana’s Exports: An Overview” (2005). This Policy Brief presents the main fi ndings of that assessment. It focuses on the achievements, challenges and the way forward for Botswana in providing a business environment conducive for economic diversifi cation. To this end, the Policy Brief also provides a critical overview of what has been achieved so far, and identifi es what remains to be done.
Topic:
Economics, Environment, Natural Resources, and Diversification
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana