Lynne Rienner Publishers Logo

Economic Cooperation in Africa: In Search of Direction

Ahmad A.H.M. Aly
Economic Cooperation in Africa:  In Search of Direction
ISBN: 978-1-55587-525-1
$40.00
1994/147 pages/LC: 94-18823

"In this concise book, Aly combines the insights of a practitioner with the analysis of an ecomonist whose career has focused on regional development."—William Cyrus Reed

DESCRIPTION

Regionalism, Ahmad Aly argues persuasively, is the most appropriate strategy for the achievement of autonomous, self-sustained development in Africa.

Aly traces the causes of the failures thus far of attempts at economic cooperation on the continent, citing in particular the adoption of inappropriate integration schemes, the multiplicity of overlapping arrangements, the dominance of politics, and, most fundamentally, the widening gap between aspirations and reality. After assessing the performance of the major cooperation and integration efforts, he proposes a three-stage scenario for gradual change.

Eschewing wishful thinking and quick fixes, Aly's analysis draws on both sound economic theory and his own direct experience to fashion a workable response to the demands of Africa's current economic problems.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ahmad A.H.M. Aly is professor of economics at Al-Azhar University (Cairo, Egypt). Formerly deputy director of research at the African Centre of Monetary Studies, Senegal, he has also served on the staff of the African Development Bank in Cote d'Ivoire and the Central Bank of Egypt.

CONTENTS

  • Introduction.
  • PAST EXPERIENCE.
  • Disorderly Move.
  • Reaping the Whirlwind.
  • THE ROADS TO FAILURE.
  • Purposeless Strategy.
  • APPROACHING THE FUTURE.
  • Reorientation Attempts.
  • A Proposed Way Forward.