On the impact of natural resources on environmental sustainability in African countries: A comparative approach based on the EKC and LCC hypotheses

Natural resources have historically been considered as fuel for enhancing economic development and raising the economic welfare of individuals in African countries. However, significant concerns have been growing on the environmental impacts of natural resource utilization since the second half of the 20th century. The main goal of this study is to investigate the impact of aggregated and disaggregated natural resource rents on ecological sustainability from 1992 to 2020 in African countries by using panel data methods. Empirical evidence shows that (i) the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis is valid, while the Load Capacity Curve Hypothesis is invalid, (ii) total natural resource rent, oil rent, forest rent, and energy use decrease environmental quality, (iii) impact of population density on environmental sustainability varies on the utilized theoretical framework. In this regard, decision-makers of African countries may consider harmonizing the welfare and environmental impacts of natural resources.