Exports as a Mediator Variable Between Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and GDP in Low and Low-Middle Income African Countries

Scientific Study from the year 2020 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, , language: English, abstract: This study aims identifying the mediation effect of export in the relationship between FDI and GDP in low and middle low-income African countries. The study uses correlation analysis, Baron and Kenny method, Bootstrap procedure and Sobel test to investigate the significance of the indirect effect. The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, exports and economic growth as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) has been a global interest of academics and policy-makers, but research methods did not allow the characterization of the indirect mediating effects that exports have on that relationship. The result of the analysis shows a partial mediation of exports in the relationship between FDI and GDP. The study demonstrates the indirect effect caused by FDI through export. It is therefore recommended that low and middle low-income African countries should stimulate foreign direct investment to boost their exports, and gross domestic product. Additionally, these countries should find new ways of financing exports as FDI are predicted to fall due to the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020.

Dr. Antoine NIYUNGEKO has more than 12 years working experience as Consultant in many business areas.He has a PhD in International Entrepreneurship, Master in Negociations and Sales Team Management, Master in Operational and Strategic Planning, and Master in Human Resources Management. He has created an audit and consultant firm ELAN CONSULT. The company is specialized in auditing, accounting, tax assistance, capacity building, and strategic planing. He has audited many company and projects. He has also trained workers from many companies.He has made 19 publications. Others are still under peer-review. He is a reviewer at Business & Economics journal which is indexed on Springer Nature. He is passionated by research. He has much skills in data analysis (qualitative and quantitative data). He has produced a practical guide of data analysis including useful statistical tests(regression, mediation, factor analysis, correlation, mean comparison, proportion comparision,etc). He speaks and write French, English, and Kirundi. He is in charge of research and data analysis in one local University.He actively in data analysis. He can be contacted on mail: niyungantoine@yahoo.fr. or by phone (+257) 75 997 606.