ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book integrates statistical research, community-level examples and economic tools in careful examinations of the main economic development issues that most African countries face, including demographic pressures, trade strategy, agricultural opportunities, macro-economic policy, education and health, industrialization options, support for the informal sector and improving infrastructure. It analyzes the differentiated African experience, reviewing geography. The book explores the main domestic policy areas essential to sustaining African economic development. It also analyzes the international dimensions of Africa's contemporary development. It aims to confront hurdles to African economic development, providing analysis of essential policy priorities facing communities and countries, from improving the net benefits of resource extraction, to widening the access of poorer women to education and credit, to shaping effective macro-economic strategies. The book reflects the new perspectives in development economics that recognize the importance of governance institutions.
