Competitiveness in selected Sub-Saharan africa (SSA) countries: Lessons for Nigeria

Abstract

Accelerating National Competitiveness has become a veritable feature and objective of most national economic policies. Hence, policy makers and the academia are showing increasing interests in understanding the drivers of global competitiveness of nations. Using descriptive Panel analysis, the study reviewed the global competitiveness of selected Sub-Sahara Africa countries based on health and education; macro economy; and institutions and infrastructure. It found amongst others that, South Africa and Rwanda have the most efficient institutions in the region owing to appreciable judicial independence while Mauritius boasts of the most beautiful infrastructure. More importantly, Botswana represents the most diversified economy due largely to her developed export sector. On the other hand, Nigeria played the laggard in almost all the pillars of global competitiveness except, market size consequent upon high level of corruption amongst public officials, indiscipline and lack of political will on the part of rulers. The study therefore, recommended that a long term development plan for the energy and manufacturing sectors predicated upon huge public investment, private-public partnership, effective and efficient institutional framework would take Nigeria out of the doldrums of mono economy, poor standard of living and non- competitiveness.

Keywords

• global competitiveness
• national competitiveness
• sub-saharan africa