The book takes a cursory look at the drivers and the directions of Africa’s developmental drive as a largely developing continent within the frameworks of the ever-dynamic global space, putting into perspective inherent challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century, and thereafter. Being the continent with most youthful population, Africa appears to still lack in requisite innovative interventions to transmute such demographic dividend into economic opportunities for the benefits of the larger population. Instead, there has been increasing trend in South-North migrations among both skilled and unskilled Africans across all age groups. Besides, impacts of climate change on the continent have also implied unstructured migratory trend within and beyond the bounds of the continent. Africa has continued to play a feeble role in various United Nations (UN)-enabled ‘Conference of Parties’ (COP) negotiations, such as the COP-26 in Glasgow, Scotland (2021). The management of recent Covid-19 epidemic across the world has presented a clear pointer to Africa that except development is internally-driven, no one is ready to exogenously drive sustainable good life for others. Ostensible ‘vaccine nationalism’ that has dotted the production and availability of various Covid-19 vaccine brands, which has ultimately left Africa as the ‘begging continent’ one more time calls for in-depth interrogation in contextualizing what the place of Africa has been, is and to be within the global interactive mode.

Across Africa, a burgeoning middle class has become the poster child for the 'Africa rising' narrative. Ambitious, aspirational and increasingly affluent, this group is said to embody the values and hopes of the new Africa, with international bodies ranging from the United Nations Development Programme to the World Bank regarding them as important agents of both economic development and democratic change. This narrative, however, obscures the complex and often ambiguous role that this group actually plays in African societies. Bringing together economists, political scientists, anthropologists and development experts, and spanning a variety of case studies from across the continent, this collection provides a much-needed corrective to the received wisdom within development circles, and provides a fresh perspective on social transformations in contemporary Africa.

This first edition explores the dynamics of growth, jobs, and inequalities. It proposes ten decisive actions to promote sustainable economic and social development and to strengthen institutions in Africa.

The book draws upon the expertise and international research collaborations forged by the Worldwide Universities Network Global Africa Group to critically engage with the intersection, in theory and practice, of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s development agendas and needs. Further, it argues that – and demonstrates how – the SDGs should be understood as an aspirational blueprint for development with multiple meanings that are situated in dynamic and contested terrains. As the SDGs have substantial implications for development policy and resourcing at both the macro and micro levels, their relevance is not only context-specific but should also be assessed in terms of the aspirations and needs of ordinary citizens across the continent. Drawing on analyses and evidence from both the natural and social sciences, the book demonstrates that progress towards the SDGs must meet demands for improving human well-being under diverse and challenging socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. Examples include those from the mining industry, public health, employment and the media. In closing, it highlights how international collaboration in the form of research networks can enhance the production of critical knowledge on and engagement with the SDGs in Africa.

China’s increasing involvement in Africa is a controversial and hotly debated issue. On the one hand, China has brought significant economic and political opportunities to the continent with large amounts of investment and infrastructure. On the other hand, however, China’s interests in Africa - including international strategy for multipolarity, a boom in China-Africa trade, and a strategic focus on energy – have been challenged as a form of neo-colonialism with claims that support for authoritarian governments has come at the expense of human rights, the environment and good governance. This book analyses China’s responsibility in Africa through the lens of good governance, China’s African policy, policy implementation, feedback from host countries, and feedback from international society. Arguing for a new framework for evaluating China-Africa engagement, it looks at four countries – Sudan (South Sudan), Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia, all of which represent typical features of China-Africa relations – to test China’s impact on the country and to analyse the factors in Africa that affect China’s ability to shoulder responsibility. It proves that China’s responsibility in Africa is affected by both the Chinese and African environments and that China’s positive or negative impacts on the host African countries are largely constrained by the political and economic situation within the host state. Containing information from first-hand interviews with African officials, officials from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, employees from Chinese State-owned enterprises who have been assigned to Africa, and Chinese self-employers in Africa, and using fieldwork from three African countries, this book will be of significant interest to students and scholars of African and Chinese Politics, International Relations and Development.

Winning The Needed Change: Saving our Planet Earth represents the outcome of long deliberations and systematic exchanges among the several members of a truly global team. It reflects a diversity of viewpoints and makes no claim to finality. However, it represents an effort to carry the debate, which started with the establishment of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), or arguably much earlier, one step further, onto the planetary level.

This volume examines the impact of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Africa’s development post-2015. It assesses the current state of the MDGs in Africa by outlining the successes, gaps and failures of the state goals, including lessons learned. A unique feature of the book is the exposition on post-MDG’s agenda for Africa’s development. Chapters on poverty, south-south partnership, aid, gender, empowerment, health as well as governance and development explore what feasible alternative lie ahead for Africa beyond the expiry date of the MDGs.

Based on stakeholder consultations and supported by data, this report reviews the implementation of the Fragile States Principles in Sierra Leone, and identifies priority areas to improve the impact of international engagement.

Written by a broad range of international experts, The European Union and Global Engagement discusses the role of the European Union after the Lisbon Treaty and the economic crisis.