Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2011, 59(7), 347-362 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun201159070347

Selected aspects of GDP value and structure development in sub-Saharan Africa

Luboš Smutka, Karel Tomšík
Katedra ekonomiky, Provozně ekonomická fakulta, Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Česká republika

Africa belongs to the poorest regions of the world. This statement may be applied especially to its sub-Saharan part. The paper analyses some basic structural characteristics related to the economic development of sub-Saharan region. The article reveals existing differences between countries and regions of sub-Saharan Africa and analyses key problems which influence economic development of individual states. An emphasis is placed on analysing an unsuitable GDP structure and on external economic relations which affect this structure. Results of an investigation show that the GDP of sub-Saharan countries is to a large extend generated by the primary sector of their economies, which is dominant in the total GDP value and its position is continuously strengthening due to a high dynamics of its growth. Having regard to the external environment, there can be stated that the foreign trade has contributed to the GDP growth of the whole region only to a limited degree (this does not apply to all countries seen as individuals). The integration process in sub-Saharan Africa may be characterized as questionable. Many integration groupings are operating in the region, but their influence on economic growth is limited due a low potential for mutual cooperation based on specialisation and use of comparative advantages. The economies of sub-Saharan countries are very sensitive to changes in their external economic environment. In this regard, there is important to highlight the very strong sensitivity of the GDP in the sub-Saharan region in relation to the World GDP (mainly to European and US GDP because both regions belong to the most important trading partners of Africa as a whole).

Keywords: sub-Saharan Africa, analysis, development, structure, value, GDP, external environment, factors, influence
Grants and funding:

This paper is part of a research project carried out by the authors within the framework of the Economics of resources of the Czech agriculture and their efficient use in the frame of multifunctional agri-food systems grant No. 6046070906, funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.

Received: June 16, 2011; Published: January 26, 2014  Show citation

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Smutka, L., & Tomšík, K. (2011). Selected aspects of GDP value and structure development in sub-Saharan Africa. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 59(7), 347-362. doi: 10.11118/actaun201159070347
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