Empowerment and Economic Development in Africa

This seventh volume of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook on "Empowerment and Economic Development in Africa" goes in content beyond Volume 6 in presenting strategies of empowerment and programmes of assistance towards those groups that are important at local and national levels to strengthen governance systems and to make them more responsive to the civil society. The empowerment of selected groups, associations and small industry sectors is therefore an important subject regarding the sustainable development of African countries. It is important to notice that there is an increasing awareness about the topic at international levels and regional levels in Africa. The sustainable social and economic development and empowerment of groups and actors in society and economy is considered to be an increasingly important objective in the context of state reconstruction and peace-building efforts in Africa.

The sixth volume of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook on "Good Governance and Economic Development in Africa" is discussing the fact that Good Governance has become an important subject in African development studies, development policies as well as in development cooperation. The main issue refers to the quality and forms of relations between African governments, the private sectors and the civil society in order to increase the level of economic development in Africa. Major concepts and strategies to enhance Good Governance in Africa are presented, evaluated and analysed; a new strategy to strengthen Good Governance systems at the national and local levels in Africa is outlined.

The two volumes on "Good Governance and Economic Development" and "Empowerment and Economic Development" do not only present facts, trends and analyses, but also build the foundation for a comprehensive strategy of government reforms and empowerment in African countries. Therefore, the two books are of use for all those working for Africa's development at the country, the sectoral and the project level. Development practitioners, government officials, business executives, and development researchers as well as media people will experience the two volumes as indispensable sources of references and inspiration.