ABSTRACT
Africa is the world's poorest region. The core problem obstructing economic development in Africa is not a lack of resources, though that is a serious constraint in many countries. Aid flows to Africa, and to the developing world in general, have been driven by a long-standing theoretical model, which assumes the key missing ingredient for development is financing. Beyond the very partial implementation of economic reform lies the pervasive problem of corruption in Africa. Corruption is the bane of development and democracy in Africa. African leaders are keenly aware that their legitimacy has badly eroded at home and abroad. The hopes for an African renaissance now rest heavily with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). African civil societies and governments must join with one another and with the international community to monitor and enforce their governance obligations under NEPAD, and, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
