Good Growth and Governance in Africa Rethinking Development Strategies

Why has the economic growth performance of Sub-Saharan Africa been disappointing on balance over the past 50 years? More importantly, what can be done to reverse that trend and to sustain and improve upon the accelerated growth experienced in recent years? What are the possibilities and policies for Africa to reduce poverty and achieve sustained, rapid economic growth? What are the lessons of success in both Africa and elsewhere? Could some of the policies that proved so successfulin East Asia help reverse the deindustrialization of Africa in the past three decades and be the basis of its structural transformation? These were the questions posed to a diverse group of experts on development convened by the Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD). This volume reflects the highlights of their deliberations. It broadens the policy debate, expands the policy options, and proposes alternative development strategies. This book captures the lively, and sometimes contentious, debate, and provides a note of optimism for the future. Though success is not assured, this volume argues that there is good reason to believethat policies based on lessons of successes, notably in East Asia, can be adapted successfully in African contexts.

Akbar Noman is Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Kwesi Botchwey is Executive Chairman of the African Development Policy Ownership Initiative (ADPOI). Howard Stein is Professor at the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan. Joseph E. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University.