‘Africa and Economic Policy: Developing a Framework for Policymakers’ aims to fill an important gap in the current literature on economic policy in developing countries. Despite its richness and sophistication, the current economic literature has not yet succeeded in developing a framework for economic policy that is clear and intelligible to economic policymakers, and which is capable of effectively delivering a sustained increase in citizens’ well-being – something that developing countries’ policymakers, particularly those in Africa, are striving for.

This ground-breaking study seeks to rectify this problem by suggesting a unique conceptual framework for designing and conducting policy in developing countries, and primarily presents its proposals in an African context. In doing so, the volume addresses one of the major shortcomings of developing country economic policy literature as it now stands.

Ferdinand Bakoup is currently Lead Economist at the African Development Bank.

Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. The Sectoral Approach to Economic Policy and Its Limits; 2. Conceptual Framework of a Systemic Economic Policy for the Revival of Africa; 3. Final Goals for a Systemic Economic Policy; 4. Intermediate Goals for a Systemic Economic Policy; 5. Operating Goals for a Systemic Economic Policy; 6. Instruments for a Systemic Economic Policy; 7. Means of Implementing a Systemic Economic Policy; 8. Economic Policy in Particular Contexts: Economic Crisis and Natural Resources–Based Economies; 9. Globalization: A Variable Geometry Process; 10. Globalization: A Factor of Worsening Economic Policy Constraints, but also Source of Opportunities?; 11. Recent Trends of Foreign Aid to Africa; 12. What Goals for Foreign Aid?; 13. How to Channel Aid for It to Be Effective; 14. A Successful Economic Policy Experience in Africa: Economic Policy in Tunisia; 15. Post-apartheid South Africa’s Economic Policy: Lessons from a Successful Experience; 16. Some Economic Policy Experiences in Developed and Emerging Countries; Conclusion; Notes; Bibliography; Index

“This is an important book on prospects for accelerated economic development in Africa by a well-qualified observer with extensive policy experience in the region. Ferdinand Bakoup has provided an original, systematic, and comprehensive overview of the policy challenges and opportunities facing Africa today, with a focus on how Africans themselves can achieve important gains in living standards on the continent through appropriate domestic policy choices. I recommend this book not just to macroeconomists and development economists with an interest in Africa, but to anyone with a professional interest in improving living standards in low-income countries more generally.” — Peter Montiel, Professor of Economics, Williams College, USA