The construction industry and macroeconomy in Sub-Saharan Africa post 1970

This paper reports research aimed at the establishment of a model of interdependence between the construction sector and the national economy, based on a long term trend, for the developing countries of SubSaharan Africa. This study follows research undertaken by previous writers who have investigated the relationship between the construction sector and economic development and found a positive relationship between the share of construction in gross domestic product (GDP) and the level of per capita national income. In addition, recent economic and demographic trends in Sub-Saharan Africa are presented and significant events that have had a great impact in this region are highlighted. Evidence is presented that a long term decreasing growth in GDP per capita corresponds directly to a relative decrease in construction volume. The converse does not appear to be true.