ABSTRACT
In this chapter an initial overview is presented of the pattern of development, broadly defined, to be found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) towards the end of the 1990s, together with an idea of trends in key parameters over the two decades from 1980. It should be appreciated that these overall trends mask a great degree of variation between individuals, groups of people and sub-national areas within countries. The information provided should facilitate an understanding, however, of the variation in the situation and performance of the major countries and counter any tendencies to over-simplify or over-generalise the development problems facing Africa at the present time.1 In the course of this overview the issues and debates discussed in the twenty-five specialist chapters forming the core of the book are indicated. Development as viewed here encompasses progress in providing livelihoods on a sustainable basis, in providing access to education and in basic health provision for the majority of the population. The resources required for these improvements must come from the growth of the economy. Likewise, in assessing economic growth, the quality of growth must be assessed alongside numerical increases in gross domestic product. This quality of growth embraces efficiency, equity and environmental dimensions, as well as the cultural dimension that is normally neglected. Careful assessment of these dimensions is essential in our view in identifying the various appropriate routes to renewed development in SSA.
