Oumarou Boua earns doctorate for research on African Political Instability
His thesis links political unrest to reduced foreign investment and migrant remittances.
Oumarou Boua, an economics and development advisor, earned a doctorate from Université Thomas-Sankara in Ouagadougou on November 2, 2026. His thesis, "Essays on Political Instability and External Financing in Sub-Saharan African Countries," examined how political crises affect foreign investment, migrant transfers, and development aid.
Boua's research found that political instability significantly reduces foreign direct investment flows, impacting not only directly affected nations but also neighboring states due to contagion risks. He also noted that while some countries see migrant remittances increase during crises as families seek support, financial development can enhance this mobilization.
The study analyzed three areas: the influence of political instability on foreign direct investment, the role of financial development in migrant remittances amid instability, and the bidirectional relationship between political instability and official development assistance.
Why it mattersOumarou Boua's research highlights how political instability in sub-Saharan Africa can deter foreign investment and affect migrant remittances.