LCS-EC201 Economic Challenges for African Development

This course offers a retrospective and prospective view of economic development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although SSA countries are far from homogeneous, it is possible to identify common economic trends over the past few decades. After independence, most countries in Africa suffered serious relative economic decline, leading ‘The Economist’ magazine in 2000 to dub Africa ‘the hopeless continent’. Much has changed since then, and many countries have experienced booming growth driven, in part, by rapidly growing investment in their abundant resource sectors. Of course, huge challenges exist; including widespread poverty and aid dependence, on-going conflict in some regions, and the stresses of providing infrastructure for burgeoning urban populations.

The topics covered include a review of economic development strategies; the role of foreign trade and regional integration; the financing of development; the impact of conflict; poverty and human development; the impact of corruption; and agricultural and industrialisation strategies. The focus is applied and policy-oriented with extensive use made of illustrative country case studies.

The course is aimed at economics students and graduates who wish to develop some background on the economies of SSA countries. It is also well-suited to non-economists who have some knowledge of African countries and a desire to build-up their economic expertise.

Prerequisites

Students should normally have at least two years of undergraduate economics or equivalent. The course does not require knowledge of econometrics but basic quantitative skills and familiarity with Excel are necessary. 

Full course outline

About the Instructors