Economic Crisis in Africa

All too often we are confronted with pitiful images of the victims of famine and drought which emanate from sub-Saharan Africa. While these images are normally drawn from the very poorest countries, the entire region faces an intense economic crisis. Why is this area in a state of near-permanent crisis and perhaps, more importantly, what can be done about it? Economic Crisis in Africa presents an overview of the situation and examines the feasibility of current policies as well as presenting long term objectives. The book is divided into four parts: Part I presents an overall view of the African crisis and crisis management. The authors focus on present economic and social conditions in the region. These are illustrated with cross-country studies, focusing particularly on Tanzania and Kenya. Part II examines problems of the external sector particularly, trade liberalization. Here, the relative success of Zimbabwe and Botswana is contrasted with the failure of Lesotho to implement an adjustment policy and the prevalence of "Dutch Disease" in Zambia. Part III presents a micro perspective on the African crisis and adjustment. This is illustrated by case studies from Uganda, Guinea-Boisseau and the dismal failure of central state control over the Congolese economy. Finally, Part IV outlines the changes in economic systems which have taken place during the 1980s and the likely success of new policies. These analyses are presented in the context of Angola, Tanzania, the specific urgency for reform in Ethiopia and the magnitude of the task facing South Africa. However, the conclusion of Economic Crisis in Africa is that while most of the countries dealt with have embarked on far-reaching structural adjustment programmes it is still too early to say whether they will succeed or not - but historical experiences do not allow us to be too optimistic.