ABSTRACT
There has been no systematic treatment of the funding of political parties in Africa. During decolonization, the interest of observers lay elsewhere, notably on the origins, rise and types of parties. Subsequently, during the post-colonial phase, attention shifted first to the consolidation of nationalist parties in government and latterly to the actual decline of political parties, whether because they were displaced by the military or because they were either effectively absorbed or (if in opposition) circumscribed by the state. Then again, even with the renewed interest in African parties which has accompanied the post-Cold War attempted re-democratization of politics, the major focus has been on the reasons and prospects for democratic revival. Absorbed by much grander themes, the literature has concerned itself with the financial base of political parties in Africa only in passing.
