Developing a frame work of issues to consider an African understanding of resource nationalism taking its colonial history, sustainable development and politics into account

Abstract

The lack of consensus among key stakeholders in conceptualizing resource nationalism in Africa has contributed to conflict among the stakeholders, negative impacts on returns to investment, constraints on supplies of resources and limited the positive impact of resource extraction on human and economic development. Six African countries provide an insight into how colonialism, post-independence politics and the sustainable development agenda have contributed to the current conceptualization of resource nationalism. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework of issues to consider in developing consensus on an African understanding of resource nationalism. The major findings of this study are that resource nationalism is not a post-colonial phenomenon, that tools of resource nationalism used by countries have both increased and become similar over time, that economic considerations are surpassing political ideology in influencing resource nationalism and, that resource dependent countries have seen more consistent reduction in inequality over time