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Building Economic Complexity in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Haroon Bhorat
  • Christopher Rooney
  • François Steenkamp

    (Development Policy Research Unit, University of Cape Town)

Abstract
This paper provides a synthesis of four country case studies on Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and South Africa. These studies examine structural change through the lens of economic complexity, and provide policy options through which these countries can achieve structural change that expands the economic opportunities for disenfranchised women and youth.3 The common objectives across these four studies is as follows: First, to examine the degree and extent of economic complexity of the country in question. Second, to undertake a detailed product space analysis. Third, use economic complexity and product space analytics to identify potential avenues for economic diversification or frontier products. Fourth, through the use of firm interviews, to identify the constraints that prevent, and the capabilities that enable, firms to diversify into these frontier products. Fifth, examine the employment potential associated with these frontier products. And finally, to provide a set of policy options that would facilitate this process of complexity building structural change.

Suggested Citation

  • Haroon Bhorat & Christopher Rooney & François Steenkamp, 2019. "Building Economic Complexity in Africa," Working Papers 201906, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctw:wpaper:201906
    as

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    File URL: https://commerce.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/content_migration/commerce_uct_ac_za/1093/files/DPRU%2520WP201906.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ricardo Hausmann & Jasmina Chauvin, 2015. "Moving to the Adjacent Possible: Discovering Paths for Export Diversification in Rwanda," CID Working Papers 294, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    2. Haroon Bhorat & Francois Steenkamp & Christopher Rooney, "undated". "Africa’s Manufacturing Malaise," UNDP Africa Policy Notes 2016-03, United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Africa.
    3. Cesar A. Hidalgo & Ricardo Hausmann, 2009. "The Building Blocks of Economic Complexity," Papers 0909.3890, arXiv.org.
    4. Portugal-Perez, Alberto & Wilson, John S., 2008. "Why trade facilitation matters to Africa ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4719, The World Bank.
    5. Carmignani, Fabrizio & Mandeville, Thomas, 2014. "Never been industrialized: A tale of African structural change," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 124-137.
    6. Haroon Bhorat & Arabo Ewinyu & Kezia Lilenstein & Christopher Rooney & François Steenkamp & Amy Thornton, 2019. "Economic Complexity and Employment Expansion: The Case of South Africa," Working Papers 201905, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    7. repec:dgr:rugggd:gd-149 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Chandra, Vandana & Osorio Rodarte, Israel, 2007. "Options for Export Diversification and Faster Export Growth in Ghana," MPRA Paper 18539, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Ricardo Hausmann & Bailey Klinger, 2007. "The Structure of the Product Space and the Evolution of Comparative Advantage," CID Working Papers 146, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    10. Hausmann, Ricardo & Hidalgo, Cesar, 2014. "The Atlas of Economic Complexity: Mapping Paths to Prosperity," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262525429, April.
    11. repec:rac:ecchap:2017-06 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa & Haroon Bhorat & Francois Steenkamp & Christopher Rooney, "undated". "Understanding the Determinants of AfricaÕs Manufacturing Malaise," UNDP Africa Policy Notes 2017-06, United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Africa.
    13. Mensah, Emmanuel Buadi & Szirmai, Adam, 2018. "Africa Sector Database (ASD): Expansion and update," MERIT Working Papers 2018-020, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    14. Herrendorf, Berthold & Rogerson, Richard & Valentinyi, Ákos, 2014. "Growth and Structural Transformation," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 2, chapter 6, pages 855-941, Elsevier.
    15. C. A. Hidalgo & B. Klinger & A. -L. Barabasi & R. Hausmann, 2007. "The Product Space Conditions the Development of Nations," Papers 0708.2090, arXiv.org.
    16. Diao, Xinshen & Harttgen, Kenneth & McMillan, Margaret S., 2017. "The changing structure of Africa’s economies," IFPRI discussion papers 1598, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    17. Xinshen Diao & Kenneth Harttgen & Margaret McMillan, 2017. "The Changing Structure of Africa’s Economies," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 31(2), pages 412-433.
    18. William Baah-Boateng & Eric Twum, 2019. "Economic Complexity and Employment for Women and Youth: The Case of Ghana," Working Papers idrcdprughana, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    19. Bhorat, Haroon & Chelwa, Grieve & Naidoo, Karmen & Stanwix, Benjamin, 2017. "Income Inequality Trends in sub-Saharan Africa: Divergence, determinants and consequences: Resource Dependence and Inequality in Africa: Impacts, consequences and potential solutions," UNDP Africa Reports 267645, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
    20. Miho Shirotori & Bolormaa Tumurchudur & Olivier Cadot, 2010. "Revealed Factor Intensity Indices at the Product Level," UNCTAD Blue Series Papers 44, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    21. repec:rac:ecchap:2017-07 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Chuma Maxwele & Godfred Anakpo & Syden Mishi, 2024. "Economic Complexity and Good Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross Country Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-12, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic complexity; economic development; Africa Rising; structural transformation; women; youth; employment;
    All these keywords.

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