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Terrorism and its Determinants in the Sub‐Saharan Africa Region: Some New Insights

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  • Muhammad Tahir
  • Munshi Naser Ibne Afzal
  • Muhammad Asim Afridi
  • Imran Naseem
  • Bilal Bin Saeed

Abstract

Terrorism is undesirable as it adversely affects the economic development of countries. This study explores the determinants of terrorism in 29 countries of sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). The data is extracted from reliable sources spanning over 2005 to 2016. Econometric techniques relevant for panel data that control for unobserved heterogeneity (fixed effects) and endogeneity (generalized method of moment) are employed to estimate the specified models. The results indicated that low growth in per capita incomes along with political instability are the main driving forces responsible for terrorism. Similarly, military expenditures are influencing terrorism positively whereas corruption has impacted terrorism negatively in the SSA region. Further, the growth of both physical as well as human capital reduces terrorism. The paper suggests that the region should take appropriate steps for increasing income of the population, education and capital stock, along with ensuring political stability to eradicate terrorism from the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Tahir & Munshi Naser Ibne Afzal & Muhammad Asim Afridi & Imran Naseem & Bilal Bin Saeed, 2019. "Terrorism and its Determinants in the Sub‐Saharan Africa Region: Some New Insights," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 31(3), pages 393-406, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:afrdev:v:31:y:2019:i:3:p:393-406
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8268.12397
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    2. Asongu, Simplice A. & Somé, Juste, 2025. "Corruption, terrorism and illicit financial flows related to extractive commodity trade in Africa," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Chukwuemeka Valentine Okolo & Jun Wen & Kibir Kolani, 2024. "Research Assessment on the Extreme Social Events in Africa—Evidence from a Bibliometric Analysis Using Web of Science and CiteSpace," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 11449-11494, September.
    4. Zulfiqar, Bushra & Madureira, Livia & Abbas, Shujaat & Shahzad, Farrukh & Fareed, Zeeshan, 2025. "Asymmetric impact of human development index on terrorism in Pakistan: New findings from QARDL," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    5. Izabela Zych & Elena Nasaescu, 2022. "Is radicalization a family issue? A systematic review of family‐related risk and protective factors, consequences, and interventions against radicalization," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), September.

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