Beyond the Environmental Kuznets Curve in Africa: Evidence from Panel Cointegration

The main objective of this study is to establish the applicability of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in explaining the relationship between environmental pollution and development in Africa. The EKC has been used to explain such relationships in a variety of contexts, yet rarely applied in Africa, despite it hosting both the poorest countries in the world, 60% of those with extreme environmental pollution vulnerability and having a distinct socio-economic and institutional profile that tests the validity of such a model. This paper describes an empirical model that applies the EKC hypothesis and its modifications to 50 African countries, using data from 1995–2010. The empirical analysis suggests that there is a long-term relationship between CO2 and particulate matter emissions with per capita income and other variables, including institutional factors and trade, leading to specific recommendations on future strategies for sustainable development in an African context.