'Black gold' or ' the excrement of the devil'? : Examining the traditional and emerging theories of oil governance and the challenges for Africa.

Abstract

While a vast body of literature exists examining the causal mechanisms behind the negative effects of natural resource abundance on economic growth – the so-called ‘natural resource curse’ - an emerging body of literature can be seen which provides a more holistic perspective on natural resource governance. This emerging literature is especially relevant for the African continent, where the challenges of poverty, low levels of good governance, and histories of conflict and authoritarianism, make natural resource governance even more complex. Thus this study makes an in-depth examination of both the traditional and emerging literature in order to examine the shift that has occurred in the literature. To provide practical relevance to this literary shift, this study proceeds with two independent case studies of Ghana and Uganda. By practically analysing the existing institutional, legislative and regulatory frameworks in both countries, this study examines the areas of variation in the current practices as opposed to the policy prescriptions of the emerging literature. In this way this study makes recommendations for the future of petroleum governance in both countries.