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Why Africa is Poor: And What Africans Can Do About It
Why Africa is Poor looks at the fragile economic and political situation in Africa and makes the quite controversial argument that the main reason Africa’s people are poor is due to the choices made by their leaders.
Dr Greg Mills draws extensively from his experiences running various presidential-level advisory teams across the continent and examines the policy choices that have stunted African development. In providing some answers to the conundrum of development, the book focuses on the way the global economy works, Africa’s record and the choices made by its leaders, the role of the outside world and the global aid regime. It assesses whether the odds are in Africa’s favour and identifies the areas where African leadership could make better choices.
Dr Greg Mills draws extensively from his experiences running various presidential-level advisory teams across the continent and examines the policy choices that have stunted African development. In providing some answers to the conundrum of development, the book focuses on the way the global economy works, Africa’s record and the choices made by its leaders, the role of the outside world and the global aid regime. It assesses whether the odds are in Africa’s favour and identifies the areas where African leadership could make better choices.
536 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2010
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335 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 6, 2013
This is a very interesting book to read about the plight of Africa in the midst of unprecedented amounts of foreign aid. The book shows clearly, with examples, that simple aid is no the answer.
It also points to two of the big problems in Africa: Leaders that do not really care about the people, but rather their own ways of life; and a populace, that even in democratic countries, continue to vote for parties and presidents that are clearly failures.
Mills points out how Far Eastern countries and South American countries dug themselves out of deep holes through making the right decisions, and then started flourishing. On the other hand, African leaders refuse to make these decisions, because aid has made it just too easy for them.
A must read book!
It also points to two of the big problems in Africa: Leaders that do not really care about the people, but rather their own ways of life; and a populace, that even in democratic countries, continue to vote for parties and presidents that are clearly failures.
Mills points out how Far Eastern countries and South American countries dug themselves out of deep holes through making the right decisions, and then started flourishing. On the other hand, African leaders refuse to make these decisions, because aid has made it just too easy for them.
A must read book!
November 15, 2018
As someone who lives in Africa, I am very interested in what it takes to bring the continent's many countries to higher levels of living for everyone. But despite years of talks around African renaissances and democratic reforms, it often feels that every step forward is met with two steps back. Why? And what can be done?
This book lays out the realities of the situation in an unflinching, consistent and thorough way. But it's not a negative attack. Instead it looks at the various strategies both in Africa and other regions - specifically South-East Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. It draws correlations and inspects differences. Along the way it slays sacred cows and highlights actual successes.
Summary? The journey to the top for Africa is still hard and its failures are often down to poor leadership. But it can be salvaged and Africa can become great... if we can get a copy of this book into the hands of decision makers.
It's a deep, long read, but if you have any interest in Africa's future welfare and prosperity, this is a must-read.
This book lays out the realities of the situation in an unflinching, consistent and thorough way. But it's not a negative attack. Instead it looks at the various strategies both in Africa and other regions - specifically South-East Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. It draws correlations and inspects differences. Along the way it slays sacred cows and highlights actual successes.
Summary? The journey to the top for Africa is still hard and its failures are often down to poor leadership. But it can be salvaged and Africa can become great... if we can get a copy of this book into the hands of decision makers.
It's a deep, long read, but if you have any interest in Africa's future welfare and prosperity, this is a must-read.
February 4, 2017
Why Africa Is Poor presents the case of Africa's poverty as simple, and manages to explain it as such. The book is well-written, excellently argued and logically sound.
At the beginning of many sections, Mills will begin with an anecdote of how he struggled to cross over the border of an African country due to its corruption, incompetence or lack of infrastructure. This become a core part of his argument. Africa is poor because it restricts the movement of goods and people. If Africa wants to become successful, it needs to truly liberalise and embrace a Libertarian economic system.
At the beginning of many sections, Mills will begin with an anecdote of how he struggled to cross over the border of an African country due to its corruption, incompetence or lack of infrastructure. This become a core part of his argument. Africa is poor because it restricts the movement of goods and people. If Africa wants to become successful, it needs to truly liberalise and embrace a Libertarian economic system.
June 1, 2023
Really good one
All the aspect across globe are covered
All the aspect across globe are covered
January 7, 2015
I picked this book up in Johannesburg (I've never seen it in the States). Fascinating book, full of good information and a lot of truths. A bit overkill on all the data though. His solutions make great sense.
November 15, 2018
This book was unmemorable and seemed to make hackneyed points. I expected Mills to bring something new to the debate on African aid and investment, but that was very much lacking. He seemed to want to publish yet another critique on aid without bringing anything new to the table.
November 28, 2010
Well written and lucid. Would have given 5 stars but the graphs could be of better quality. It is a must read to those who despair of Africa's future.
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November 24, 2016I just want to Read this Book and have some snapshots About Africa with Poor Governance
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews