Industrial Policy and Economic Transformation in Africa

This book explores the vital role that active government policies can play in transforming African economies. Packages of learning, industrial, and technology policies aim to bring vigorous and lasting growth to the region. This collection features case studies of such policies in action, examining their risks and rewards and what they mean for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Explores the vital role that industrial policies can play in bringing about a transformation of African economies

Akbar Noman teaches at Columbia University, where he is a senior fellow at the Initiative for Policy Dialogue, cochair of its Africa Task Force, and adjunct associate professor at the School of International and Public Affairs. He has also worked at Oxford University; the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex; a number of international organizations, including the World Bank; and senior governmental positions.

Joseph E. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University, former chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank, and former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Clinton. His books include Making Globalization Work; Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy; The Price of Inequality: How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future; Fair Trade for All (with Andrew Charlton), Creating a Learning Society: A New Approach to Growth, Development, and Social Progress (with Bruce C. Greenwald) and The Great Divide: Unequal Societies and What We Can Do About Them. In 2001, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in economics.

Marked by breadth and clarity, this is a valuable addition to the literature on economic policy on the African continent.... Highly recommended.

Justin Yifu Lin, Peking University and former chief economist of the World Bank:
This impressive book is about how to generate decent jobs, reduce poverty, and achieve inclusive and sustainable structural transformation through industrialization in Africa. It should be read by anyone who hopes to transform or help transform Africa from a land of poverty to a land of prosperity.

Thandika Mkandawire, London School of Economics:
A refreshing and timely intervention in policy debates on the industrialization of African countries. The book is outstanding and should be read not only by those interested in Africa's industrialization but also by readers from other parts of the world who have sought to bring industrial policy back into their own development thinking and endeavors.

K. Y. Amoako, president, African Center for Economic Transformation:
An invaluable guide for Africa's pursuit of economic transformation and for those concerned with the 'what' and 'how' of government's role. This book highlights where government and industry can collaborate to design and execute a transformation agenda and sharply details why industrial policies should be central to government strategies.