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Challenges of Doing Business in Africa: A Systematic Review

Author

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  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (Yaoundé/Cameroon)

  • Nicholas M. Odhiambo

    (Pretoria, South Africa)

Abstract

This paper provides a systematic review of challenges to doing business in Africa. It complements the extant literature by answering two critical questions: what are the linkages between the ease of doing business and economic development; and what are the challenges to doing business in Africa? In providing answers to these questions, the nexus between the ease of doing business and economic development is discussed in six main strands, namely: wealth creation and sharing; opportunities of employment; balanced regional and economic development; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP per capita; standards of living and exports. Moreover, challenges to doingbusiness are articulated along the following lines: (i) issues related to the cost of starting a business and doing business; (ii) shortage of energy and electricity; (iii) lack of access to finance; and (v) high taxes and low cross-border trade.

Suggested Citation

  • Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2018. "Challenges of Doing Business in Africa: A Systematic Review," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 18/057, African Governance and Development Institute..
    • Handle: RePEc:agd:wpaper:18/057
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business; Development; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L59 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Other
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O20 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - General
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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