China's Outward Direct Investment

The Canadian-based International Institute for Sustainable Development published in January 2016 an extensive report titled "Sustainability Impacts of Chinese Outward Direct Investment: A Review of the Literature." 

The project reviewed information from academic databases, think tanks, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the media.  The goal of the literature review was to develop a comprehensive understanding of the sustainable impact of Chinese outward investments.  It evaluated the literature by considering 12 impacts under 4 broad categories: economic, community, income or price support, and provision of goods or services below market value. 

Oil in Somalia: Adding Fuel to the Flames?

The Mogadishu-based The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) just published a report titled "Oil in Somalia: Adding Fuel to the Fire?" by Dominik Balthasar, a development policy fellow with HIPS.  The report examines the likelihood that the quest for oil will catalyze an already tense political situation and increase the possibility of renewed conflict.

Uganda's Oil Sector: On the Right Track?

The Washington-based Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA) published on 14 August 2013 a brief analysis titled "Uganda's Oil Sector: On the Right Track?" by Ashley Neese Bybee, a research staff member at IDA.  The report questions decisions by the government concerning land acquisition policies and wonders whether Uganda will be able to avoid the resource curse of oil. 

Oil and Gas Development in East Africa and the Horn

LSI Solutions  published on 18 May 2013 an analysis of the oil and gas situation in East Africa and the Horn titled "The Rise of East African Hydrocarbons."  Written by Eray Basar, it notes that oil and gas discoveries in East Africa have made the region a top priority for exploration and development.  Mozambique could potentially surpass Algeria as the world's six largest natural gas exporter.  Other countries covered in the analysis include Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Managing Oil in Uganda

The technical challenges of extracting Uganda's waxy, on-shore oil has prevented production so far and means that full capacity will probably not be reached until 2020.  In the meantime, the debate is underway over the management of Uganda's oil in an effort to avoid the "resource curse."

Writing for Chatham House, Ben Shepard, independent consultant and associate fellow at Chatham House, produced in February 2013 a report titled "Oil in Uganda: International Lessons for Success."  He concluded that the "resource curse" is not inevitable and Uganda has time to get it right.  But the debate must move beyond the politics of the present and look to the long-term.  Oil will be central to Uganda for decades to come.  He argues that Uganda's leaders, opposition and civil society alike must "work together to ensure a bright future for generations to come."