In this study, the impact of external debt on economic growth is empirically investigated on
selected (Eight) heavily indebted poor African countries. The findings from prior studies
strongly vary from researcher to researcher in terms of statistical method used, Geographical
area and time period covered. This paper is built in the way that contemplates all the
differences shown in previous studies.
Moreover it distinguishes itself from previous studies in three ways. First, it uses the seminal
work of Barro (1991) on possible variables that affect economic growth, together with Solow’s
economic growth theory in econometrics modeling. Second, it uses Random effect approach in
data analysis. Third it uses net total debt service (calculated by taking the difference of total
debt relief from total debt service) to counter the effect of debt relief.
The study has been implemented with annual data over the period between years 1991 and
2010. It is performed on eight selected heavily indebted poor African countries.
As per the result, the impact of external debt on economic growth is statistically significant in
terms of debt crowding out effect over the selected eight countries in particular and over all the
heavily indebted poor African countries in general in a restricted sense. This is the case when
indebted poor countries transfer resources, including foreign aid and foreign exchange
resources to service their accumulated debt.
In the other hand, the effect of external debt on economic growth is found to be statistically
insignificant in terms of debt overhang effect. This result is against the debt overhang
hypothesis and the presumption we made on Solow theory of economic growth, which states
that an accumulated debt act as a tax on future output, discouraging productive investment plan
of the private sector and adjustment efforts on the part of government (Debt overhang
hypothesis) and this in turn will shift inward both investment and production curves in Solow’s
production function.
Beside this, the study also reveals that, the total amount of debt relief the countries in the study
received is negligible and didn’t help the countries towards a better economic growth.
Despite the above result all the variables used in analysis: log of initial GDP, population growth
rate, investment growth rate and trade balance are in line with Solow’s economic growth
theory.