How Africa Works

'One of the most original and important books on Africa in years' FINANCIAL TIMES The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain? In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management. Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development. From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.

'One of the most original and important books on Africa in years' FINANCIAL TIMES The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain? In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management. Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development. From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.

'One of the most original and important books on Africa in years' FINANCIAL TIMES The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain? In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management. Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development. From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.

'One of the most original and important books on Africa in years' FINANCIAL TIMES The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain? In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management. Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development. From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.

"[O]ne of the most original and important books on Africa in years."-- Financial Times "Challenges outdated narratives and makes a compelling case for the continent's economic potential."--Bill Gates The acclaimed author of How Asia Works brings his "pithy, well-written and intellectually vigorous" ( Financial Times ) reporting to Africa, revealing essential, promising lessons about the engines of economic growth across the continent The culmination of twenty years spent studying Asian economics, Joe Studwell's celebrated How Asia Works revealed the key policies behind the meteoric growth of the "Asian tigers." The question he kept hearing from those inspired by his clear-eyed understanding of global development: what about Africa? He was finally convinced to investigate further when the inquiries began coming from Africans themselves. A decade of research, travel and on-the-ground reporting began. Studwell expected that Africa's challenging geography and its crippling legacies of colonialism would necessitate a unique developmental recipe. Yet to his astonishment, the African countries that succeeded did so by embracing the very same strategies their Asian counterparts had--strategies that are far different from those foisted on Africa by the international community. He explores these winning policies via four countries that have seen exceptional economic growth (Botswana, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Rwanda) and that demonstrate both the promise and the particular challenge of the African context. Highlighting the achievements of local leaders, Studwell argues that prosperity is well within reach and that the rapidly rising population--seen as alarming by so many--will be foundational to Africa's flourishing. How Africa Works is essential, optimistic reading for anyone looking to understand the next chapter of global development.

"[O]ne of the most original and important books on Africa in years."-- Financial Times "Challenges outdated narratives and makes a compelling case for the continent's economic potential."--Bill Gates The acclaimed author of How Asia Works brings his "pithy, well-written and intellectually vigorous" ( Financial Times ) reporting to Africa, revealing essential, promising lessons about the engines of economic growth across the continent The culmination of twenty years spent studying Asian economics, Joe Studwell's celebrated How Asia Works revealed the key policies behind the meteoric growth of the "Asian tigers." The question he kept hearing from those inspired by his clear-eyed understanding of global development: what about Africa? He was finally convinced to investigate further when the inquiries began coming from Africans themselves. A decade of research, travel and on-the-ground reporting began. Studwell expected that Africa's challenging geography and its crippling legacies of colonialism would necessitate a unique developmental recipe. Yet to his astonishment, the African countries that succeeded did so by embracing the very same strategies their Asian counterparts had--strategies that are far different from those foisted on Africa by the international community. He explores these winning policies via four countries that have seen exceptional economic growth (Botswana, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Rwanda) and that demonstrate both the promise and the particular challenge of the African context. Highlighting the achievements of local leaders, Studwell argues that prosperity is well within reach and that the rapidly rising population--seen as alarming by so many--will be foundational to Africa's flourishing. How Africa Works is essential, optimistic reading for anyone looking to understand the next chapter of global development.