Mixed development messages from Africa: Macroeconomic performance versus poverty models' test results

                       This research attempts to explore a contradictory development message coming out of Africa. On the one hand, several African nations are facing structural difficulties that are... [ view full abstract ]

                       This research attempts to explore a contradictory development message coming out of Africa. On the one hand, several African nations are facing structural difficulties that are causing extreme poverty. An example of such countries is DR Congo where what the United Nations called ‘Africa World War I’ has caused the worst humanitarian disaster since World War II. On the other hand, the fastest growing economies are in Africa. An example is again DR Congo, which, for the first fifteen years of the 21^st century, has recorded growth rates higher than the average growth rates of all continents. The paper ends with one recommendation. A meaningful help should not be to provide financial assistance to African nations, but to target institutional reforms in the political, legal and economic environments. Africans are in need of legitimate, reliable and representative governments that formulate public policies that serve the interests of their people.