The Asian Aspiration: Why and How Africa Should Emulate Asia

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By Greg Mills, Olusegun Obasanjo, Hailemariam Desalegn & Emily van der Merwe

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In 1960, the GDP per capita of Southeast Asian countries was nearly half that of Africa. By 1986 the gap had closed, and today the trend is reversed, with more than half of the world’s poorest now living in sub­-Saharan Africa.

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Why has Asia developed while Africa lagged? The Asian Aspiration chronicles the continent’s stories of explosive growth and changing fortunes: the leaders, events and policy choices that lifted a billion people out of abject poverty within a single generation, the largest such shift in human history.

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The relevance of Asia’s example comes as Africa is facing a population boom, which can either lead to crisis or prosperity; and as Asia is again transforming, this time out of low-cost  manufacturing into hi-tech, leaving a void that is Africa’s for the taking. Far from the optimistic determinism of ‘Africa Rising’, this book calls for unprecedented pragmatism in the pursuit of African success.

The Development of Africa : How long till the end of the Tunnel?​

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By Mohamed Lamine Doumbouya

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The diversity of development actors correlates to the multiplicity of development visions as well as the instruments mobilised on the ground. When a country's development efforts are not coordinated and the people's aspirations are not effectively considered, the initiatives undertaken by businesses slow down progress instead of catalysing it.

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More often than not, efforts undertaken serve to benefit the development actors more than the potential beneficiaries of the said development. A development, for it to be sustainable, should be planned and constructed with its beneficiaries in a well-designed institutional framework. To this end, it should be freely wanted and accepted by its beneficiaries, who simultaneously become objects of transformations happening in their own ecosystem. It is hence important to ensure that people understand and integrate the expected changes; otherwise, progress will be delayed, while cost efficiency will be uncontrollable and results unsatisfactory. 

Senegal within reach: The lion emerges from its den​

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By Abdou Souleye Diop

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This book, free of bias, aims to make an objective diagnosis of the state of Senegal in 2023 and its development trajectory. It refers to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which provide an objective guide for discourse.

Based on this diagnosis, the author suggests approaches to development that would make it possible to achieve rapidly growing ambitions.

In the current context of Senegal, at the crossroads of its development trajectory, it is essential to refocus the debate on ideas rather than on people. Neither praise nor nihilism will build our country, rather it is the individual and collective contribution that will guide us towards our common ideal: the Senegal we all aspire to build.
 

Asian Tigers, African Lions​

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By Bernard BERENDSEN, Ton DIETZ, Henk SCHULTE NORDHOLT, Roel VAN DER VEEN

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Asian Tigers, African Lions is an anthology of contributions by scholars and (former) diplomats related to the 'Tracking Development' research project, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and coordinated by the African Studies Centre and KITLV, both in Leiden, in collaboration with scholars based in Africa and Asia.

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Financing Africa: Strengthening Local Financial Systems

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By Cédric MBENG MEZUI 

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Financing the continent's economic agenda is no doubt a priority for Africa.​

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This was clearly endorsed by the global community in the 2016 Addis Ababa Action Agenda. However, there is a lack of practical knowledge surrounding this crucial issue. In his book, Cédric Mbeng Mezui bridges this gap and shines a light on recent developments and trends in Africa. The book is a must-read for decision-makers, universities and other stakeholders looking for solutions to finance the development of Africa.