THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON THE ECONOMY OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES

THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON THE ECONOMY OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES: NIGERIA AS A CASE STUDY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Nigeria‘s economic development was anchored basically on agricultural and primary exports before independence. A purposive effort was made to alter the structure of the economy by increasing investment in other sectors on attainment of political independence in 1960. Since then and, specifically from the early 1950s, virtually all the productive sectors of the Nigerian economy were dominated by foreign investments and therefore ownership incentive measures were, thus, directly aimed at attracting foreigners, their capital, technology and skills. (Garba, 1998:18). Over the last three decades Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has emerged as one of the most important sources of globalization and an important catalyst for economic growth, transferring technology and knowledge between participating countries.

Foreign direct investment is a direct investment into production or business in a country by an individual or company in another country, either by buying a company in the target country or by expanding operations of an existing business in that country. Foreign direct investment also provides opportunities and financial challenges around the world. In addition, gaps in entrepreneurship, managerial and supervisory personnel, organizational experience and expertise, innovation in products and production techniques in third world countries are presumed to be partially or wholly filled by foreign investors.

The theories related to the types of FDI suggest two types of FDI: horizontal (market-seeking) and vertical. The international market searching for the lowest cost of production is called vertical FDI, which is mainly export oriented (Shatz and Venables, 2000:222-223). Horizontal FDI refers to the establishment of homogenous plants in foreign locations as a means of supplying certain goods in a foreign country. This type of FDI replaces exports from the home country to the host country.

Nigeria receives the largest amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa. Foreign Direct Investment inflows have been growing enormously over the course of the last decade: from USD1.14 billion in 2001 and USD2.1 billion in 2004, Nigeria‘s FDI reached USD11 billion in 2009 according to UNCTAD, making the country the nineteenth greatest recipient of FDI in the world. The country experienced real GDP growth averaging 7.8 percent from 2004 to 2007, and 6.4 percent in 2007. This was higher than those of the low-income sub-Saharan (LI-SSA) countries with median (4.0 percent), the LI median (6.0 percent), and the rate in Indonesia (6.3 percent). Kenya however had a higher rate of 7.0 percent. Prior to 2001 40 percent of GDP came mainly from oil which changed from 2001 to 2006 though in 2003 real growth in other sectors exceeded growth in the oil sector (IMF, 2008). Some notable sectors in this respect include telecommunications, wholesale and retail trade, and agriculture (Economist Intelligent Unit,2008). Agricultures potentials are yet to be fully exploited.

In the year 2007, Nigeria had an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of US$166.8 billion according to the official exchange rate and US$292.7 billion according to Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). GDP rose by 6.4 percent in real terms over the previous year.GDP per capita was about US$1,200 using the official exchange rate and US$2,000 using the PPP method. About 60 percent of the population lives on less than US$1 per day. Also during the same period (2007) the GDP was composed of the following sectors: agriculture, 17.6percent; industry, 53.1 percent; and services, 29.3 percent. In 2006 Nigeria received a net inflow of US$5.4 billion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), much of which came from the United States. FDI constituted 74.8 percent of gross fixed capital formation, reflecting low levels of domestic investment. Almost all the FDI is directed toward the energy sector.

Between 2008 and 2020, Nigeria hopes to attract US$600 billion of FDI to finance its vision. FDI is considered as a strategic instrument for economic growth. Thus, this study assesses the impact of FDI on economic growth in Nigeria within the period 1999-2013.

1.2 Statement of Problem

It is widely believed that economic growth depends critically on both domestic and foreign investments (Andenyangtso, 2005: 305-323). Equally, the rate of inflow of foreign investment depends on the rate of economic growth. Osaghale and Amenkhieman (1987: 383-403), Ohiorheman (1993: 1185-1207), Fabayo (2003: 227-252) and Aremu (2005:2079-2085) establish a relationship between investment and growth in Nigeria. However, empirical studies of the impact of FDI on growth are concerned with either the overall effect on growth (or net welfare) or with specific aspects of the FDI impact on employment, technology, trade, entrepreneurship and other areas of the economy, such as, infrastructures, education and health. Thus, the impact of FDI on economic growth remains unclear. It is, therefore, necessary to determine the impact of FDI on the economic growth in Nigeria..

1.3 Research Objectives

The overall objective of this study is to examine the effect of foreign direct investment on the economy of third world countries economies. Specific objectives of this study are:

i. To determine the rate of Foreign Direct Investment inflows into Nigeria;

ii. To determine whether foreign direct investment has impacted positively or negatively on the economy of the Nigeria; and ,

iii. To examine the relationship between foreign Direct Investment, exports and growth in Nigeria.

TOPIC: THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON THE ECONOMY OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES

Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email

Number of Pages: 70

Price: 3000 NGN

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