Economic Performance of African Resource Exporters in 2000–2023: The Case of Nigeria, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

This thesis examines the resource curse phenomenon, aiming to explore the economic performance of African resource-exporting countries through the cases of Nigeria, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo during the period 2000 to 2023. Based on the research, the impact of natural wealth on economic development is assessed using macroeconomic indicators and indices derived from a literature review on the subject. The added value of this work lies in formulating specific economic policy recommendations that reflect the unique conditions of each country and can be utilized in strategy development not only in the analysed states but also in other resource-dependent nations. The findings indicate that the utilization of natural resources significantly affects economic performance, with the ability to manage this impact depending on the quality of institutional frameworks, investment activity, and applied fiscal tools. In Nigeria, the analysis confirms a high dependency on the oil sector, with partial results highlighting issues such as low-quality political institutions, corruption, and weak investment in human capital. In contrast, Botswana demonstrates effective management of natural resource revenues, presenting itself as a model country. The Democratic Republic of Congo faces substantial challenges related to political instability, corruption, and armed conflicts, which severely limit its ability to leverage natural resources for sustainable development. This work contributes to enhancing comprehension in the field of resource economics and fosters discussion on sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources and their revenues.