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The relationship between infrastructure, growth and poverty is empirically robust in the macro- economic and microeconomic literature as well as in the rapidly evolving randomised field evaluation studies. This article appraises the role of infrastructure in economic growth and poverty alleviation in Africa. It notes that Africa's infrastructure is still much below international standards in terms of quantity and quality. Access, affordability and quality of service continue to be key issues in all infrastructure sectors. Poverty was also not carefully addressed as part of the regulatory and other reform packages implemented during the 1990s. Not surprisingly, the infrastructure needs of the poor, the majority of who reside in rural and peri-urban areas have not been met and they continue to rely on unsafe, unreliable and often overpriced alternatives to compensate for the policy failures. Unlike the reforms of the 1990s which were shaped by ideological cleavages and blame game, there is gradually a coalescing of opinions on the reform agenda in the twenty-first century. The choice is no longer between a segregation of public and private provision but mutual collaboration between both actors. The public sector is now expected to play a much more important role in financing infrastructure than previously acknow-ledged, while the private sector should assist in meeting the significant needs associated with infrastructure construction, operation, and to some extent, financing in sectors such as telecommunications, energy generation, and transport services in which commercial and political risks are much lower. JEL Classification: F3, L3, L9, N17, 055

This paper reviews the industrial development strategy being embarked upon by African countries in the 1990s. It is of the view that a generalised commitment to export oriented industrialisation strategy is misplaced. A grater emphasis on inward looking strategy is required. African countries embark on greater import substitution, the development of indigenous technology and more economic and technical cooperation among themselves. (DSE)

In a sweeping survey of African economies, leading scholars offer the latest research into the biggest current influences on African growth and development, taking account of relevant institutional contexts as well as significant or unique problems that have slowed Africa's progress

1. The pursuit of long-run economic growth in Africa : an overview of key challenges / Haroon Bhorat and Finn Tarp --. - 2. Ethiopia : an agrarian economy in transition / Yared Seid, Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse, and Seid Nuru Ali --. - 3. Ghana : a successful growth story with job creation concerns / Ernest Aryeetey and William Baah-Boateng --. - 4. Kenya : economic growth, labor market dynamics, and prospects for a demographic dividend / Mwangi Kimenyi, Francis Mwega, and Njuguna Ndung'u --. - 5. Mozambique : growth experience through an employment lens / Sam Jones and Finn Tarp --. - 6. Nigeria : the relationship between growth and employment / Olu Ajakaiye, Afeikhena Jerome, David Nabena, and Olufunke Alaba --. - 7. South Africa : demographic, employment, and wage trends / Haroon Bhorat, Karmen Naidoo, Morne Oosthuizen, and Kavisha Pillay