Larissa Nawo

Bio: Larissa Nawo is an academic researcher from University of Dschang. The author has contributed to research in topics: Foreign direct investment & Sovereign wealth fund. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 11 citations.

World Economic Policy Uncertainty and Foreign Direct Investment

Abstract: Using a new world economic uncertainty index and applying the Generalised Method of Moments, this paper investigates the effect of world economic policy uncertainty on foreign direct investment on a large panel of 138 countries over the period 1996-2018. With sample differentiated according to IMF classification, the results show that overall, world economic policy uncertainty reduces foreign direct investment and that, the magnitude of the effect is greater in emerging and developing countries than in advanced economies.

Unofficial sovereign wealth funds and duration in power in Africa

Abstract: This paper argues that in weak states, leaders whose hold on power is secured by the public fortune have turned to the use of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), especially unofficial SWFs, to cement their hold on power. Unofficial SWFs are private funds created from resource rents with the appearance of public investment-holding firms that use governmental legitimacy to invest at home and abroad, managed indirectly by political leaders or their families in order to advance a political agenda, wealth accumulation, patronage, repression, and loyalty.

Relevance of governance quality on the effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth: new evidence from African countries

Abstract: Despite the large volume of studies on the direct impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth, the results remain inconclusive. This has led researchers to examine the channels through which FDI affects economic growth. Evidence suggests that institution quality can improve economic growth by increasing foreign direct investment in the host countries. As governance quality is improving in African countries during the last decade, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between foreign direct investment, governance quality and economic growth in 51 African countries over the period 1998-2015. The empirical evidence is based on Generalized Method of Moments. The following findings are established. First, there is an unconditional positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth in African countries. We also find a positive and significant relationship between governance quality and economic growth. Second, these findings are still robust when we use the composite governance quality indicators. Three, when regards at interaction terms between governance quality and foreign direct investment, we find a convincing evidence that governance quality moderate favorably the effect of FDI on economic growth. Four, the moderate effect of governance quality on foreign direct investment and growth nexus still robust with composite governance quality indicators. Overall this study has established net direct positive and significant effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth and that this effect is enhanced by good governance. The major implication from our study is that African countries should improve their governance quality to benefit more from FDI in terms of achieving better growth outcomes.

Sovereign wealth funds: stylized facts about their determinants and governance

Abstract: This paper presents statistical analysis supporting stylized facts about sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). It discusses the forces leading to the growth of SWFs, including the role of fuel exports and ongoing current account surpluses, and large hoarding of international reserves. It analyzes the degree to which measures of SWF governance and transparency compare with national norms of behavior. We provide evidence that many countries with SWFs are characterized by effective governance but weak democratic institutions, as compared to other nonindustrial countries. We also present a model with which we compare the optimal degree of diversification abroad by a central bank versus that of a sovereign wealth fund. We show that if the central bank manages its foreign assets with the objective of reducing the probability of sudden stops, it will place a high weight on the downside risk of holding risky assets abroad and will tend to hold primarily safe foreign assets. In contrast, if the sovereign wealth fund, acting on behalf of the Treasury, maximizes the expected utility of a representative domestic agent, it will opt for relatively greater holding of more risky foreign assets. We discuss how the degree of a country's transparency may affect the size of the foreign asset base entrusted to a wealth fund's management, and show that, for relatively low levels of public foreign assets, assigning portfolio management independence to the central bank may be advantageous. However, for a large enough foreign asset base, the opportunity cost associated with the limited portfolio diversification of the central bank induces authorities to establish a wealth fund in pursuit of higher returns.

Beyond the Curse: Policies to Harness the Power of Natural Resources

Abstract: Resource rich countries need to look beyond the so-called resource curse and put into action innovative policies and institutions to confront their many challenges and reap the benefits of widely shared natural resource wealth. There is a broad consensus in academic and policy circles that the presence of natural resources poses a number of potential challenges in resource rich countries: A loss of competitiveness in potentially dynamic, non-natural resource sectors leading to a narrowing of the production base, Excessive government reliance on revenues derived from commodities and export earnings, Too much macroeconomic and financial volatility, and Rent-seeking behavior that can undermine governance and exacerbate the difficulty of building robust, growth-enabling institutions. Our recent edited book (Arezki, Gylfason and Sy, 2012) assembles contributions from several authors discussing the fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policy options confronting resource rich countries, savings policies, suitable institutional arrangements to safeguard the economy against volatility, economic as well as political diversification, and institution building.

Foreign Direct Investment and World Pandemic Uncertainty Index: Do Health Pandemics Matter?

Abstract: This paper explores the impacts of health pandemics on foreign direct investment (FDI) using the new world pandemic uncertainty index (WPUI). We investigate the effects of pandemics, including COVID-19, on FDI based on a sample of 142 economies and sub-samples (incomes and regions) from 1996 to 2019. The two-step system Generalised Method of Moments estimation of linear dynamic panel-data model (DPDGMM) is used in this study. The estimation results are robust with the results of the two-step sequential (two-stage) estimation of linear panel-data models (SELPDM) and the two-step system Generalised Method of Moments estimation (BBGMM). The results show that health pandemics have negative impacts on FDI. Significantly, the uncertainty caused by pandemics creates adverse shocks on FDI net inflows in Asia-Pacific countries and emerging economies.

The Impact of Terrorism on Governance in African Countries

Abstract: This study investigates how terrorism affects governance in 53 African countries for the period 1998-2012. Four terrorism indicators are used namely: domestic, transnational, unclear and total terrorism. Ten bundled and unbundled governance indicators are also employed namely: political governance (consisting of political stability and voice and accountability), economic governance (encompassing government effectiveness and regulation quality); institutional governance (entailing corruption-control and the rule of law) and general governance. The governance indicators are bundled by means of principal component analysis. The empirical evidence is based on Generalized Method of Moments. Three key findings are established. First, all selected terrorism dynamics negatively affect political governance and its constituents. Second, evidence of a negative relationship is sparingly apparent in economic governance and its components. Third, no proof was confirmed in relation to the impact of terrorism and institutional governance with its elements. Fourth, compared with domestic terrorism, transnational terrorism more negatively and significantly affects political, economic and general governances. Policy implications are discussed.