The Political Economy of Natural Resource Extraction in Central Africa: A Mixed Methods Inquiry

Natural resource extraction in Central Africa, particularly Kenya, has been a contentious issue due to its potential economic benefits and socio-economic challenges. The research employs a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with semi-structured questionnaires among community members and quantitative analysis of official government reports on revenue distribution and environmental impact assessments. Community surveys revealed that approximately 45% of respondents experienced negative impacts such as land loss or water contamination due to mining activities, highlighting the need for more equitable resource management policies. The findings underscore the importance of integrating community perspectives with government data in policy formulation and implementation to mitigate adverse effects and promote sustainable development. Policy makers should prioritise stakeholder engagement during resource extraction projects and implement targeted interventions to address environmental degradation and social inequality.