What constraints do history and the global economy place upon Africa's economic development? To answer this question, Alemayehu Geda offers a new study of international finance and trade in Africa using a global macro model focused on the region. A unique study of the African continent, this book offers development economists and policymakers an innovative alternative to the IMF and World Bank's framework for national development strategy.
'In this book, Alemayehu Geda provides the basis for a textbook for advanced African students of economics that would take them beyond the one-country technical and dependency political perspectives...He builds a simulation model of the region, which is a tour de force, not only in technical terms, but also as an alternative interpretation of reality.' - Valpy FitzGerald, University of Oxford, QEH
'Finance and Trade in Africa is a milestone in the debate over that continent's underdevelopment, and what should be the strategy to overcome that underdevelopment. Perhaps nowhere else has the link between debilitating external factors and Africa's poverty been made so rigorously and clearly. This book offers a powerful challenge to he neoclassical orthodoxy'. - John Weeks, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies
'While recognizing the importance of domestic factor in influencing the rather dismal economic performance of African countries generally, Alemayehu Geda emphasizes the role of external trade and finance in this record. Yes, governance must be improved, according to the popular paradigm of today; but no, let us not forget the importance of the international dimension either, thanks to Alemayehu Geda's excellent account.' - A.K. Fosu, Director of Research, African Economic Research Consortium, Nairobi
'Better understanding of globalization requires a rigorous analysis of world trade and financial linkages. It could be argued that Africa in many senses is a small player in global markets, yet it seems important enough to be considered a 'missing link' in the typical world economic models. This book makes up for that omission and, through highly realistic modelling; Alemayehu Geda reveals both the obvious relevance to the global economy to Africa's economic development and the less obvious relevance of Africa to the understanding of global economic interactions.' - Rob Vos, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague
'Finance and Trade in Africa is a milestone in the debate over that continent's underdevelopment, and what should be the strategy to overcome that underdevelopment. Perhaps nowhere else has the link between debilitating external factors and Africa's poverty been made so rigorously and clearly. This book offers a powerful challenge to he neoclassical orthodoxy'. - John Weeks, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies
'While recognizing the importance of domestic factor in influencing the rather dismal economic performance of African countries generally, Alemayehu Geda emphasizes the role of external trade and finance in this record. Yes, governance must be improved, according to the popular paradigm of today; but no, let us not forget the importance of the international dimension either, thanks to Alemayehu Geda's excellent account.' - A.K. Fosu, Director of Research, African Economic Research Consortium, Nairobi
'Better understanding of globalization requires a rigorous analysis of world trade and financial linkages. It could be argued that Africa in many senses is a small player in global markets, yet it seems important enough to be considered a 'missing link' in the typical world economic models. This book makes up for that omission and, through highly realistic modelling; Alemayehu Geda reveals both the obvious relevance to the global economy to Africa's economic development and the less obvious relevance of Africa to the understanding of global economic interactions.' - Rob Vos, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague