Balancing Prosperity: Assessing the Socio-Economic Impacts of Oil and Gas Exploitation in Angola, Tanzania, and Mozambique Within the SADC Region

Oil and gas exploitation significantly impacts the economies of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), yet the economic, socio-economic, and regulatory implications remain underexplored. This dissertation investigates stakeholder perceptions of these impacts in Angola, Tanzania, and Mozambique, using the resource curse and Dutch Disease theories as theoretical lenses. A qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach was employed, gathering data from 117 participants across key sectors of the oil and gas industry, complemented by secondary data such as economic trends and policy analysis. Triangulation was used to ensure comprehensive insights into economic growth, socio-economic development, and regulatory dynamics. The main contribution of this research is the Oil & Gas Sector Sustainability Roadmap (OGSSR), offering actionable guidelines for policymakers and industry leaders to address economic, socio-economic, and regulatory challenges, ensuring long-term sustainability. This study expands academic knowledge of the oil and gas sector in the SADC region and provides strategic insights for sectorial initiatives, future research, and policy development to support sustainable growth both regionally and globally.