Toward an Understanding of Economic Growth in Africa: A Reinterpretation of the Lewis Model

B-Tier
Journal: World Development
Year: 2018
Volume: 109
Issue: C
Pages: 511-522

Authors (2)

Diao, Xinshen (not in RePEc) McMillan, Margaret (Tufts University)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We develop a model economy that has many of the features of Lewis (1954) but that also includes an in-between sector as described by Lewis (1979). Our model underscores the importance of the following determinants of structural change: (i) productivity growth in the agricultural sector; (ii) productivity growth in the nonagricultural sector and; (iii) the terms of trade. Public investment enhances productivity growth in all sectors but when it is financed by foreign inflows, it also causes a real exchange rate appreciation leading to a contraction in the open modern sector. These results provide a partial explanation for recent patterns of growth in Rwanda and elsewhere in Africa where the nontradables or what we call the in-between sector has expanded more rapidly than the tradable sector. Our results also highlight the dilemma faced by poor countries in dire need of public investment with a very limited tax base.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:wdevel:v:109:y:2018:i:c:p:511-522
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-26