Social and economic development in Africa: early years of political independence

It is important to analyze the early political independence period in Africa for the proper understanding of the totality of the development experience of the continent. It is in this context that the chapter discusses development theories and ideas that influenced the socio-economic paradigm that Africa or the majority of African countries followed during 1960-1980. The chapter confirms that there were many interventions aimed at advancing socio-economic development in Africa during the early political independence period. The analysis, particularly of the socio-economic data during 1960-1980, supports perspectives of leading scholars that argued that Africa performed relatively well in the early years of political independence. External factors and the structural adjustment programmes are largely responsible for the decline and subsequent deterioration of socio-economic development in Africa. The chapter argues that there is need to come up with solutions that can be effective and sustainable, drawing from some of the ideas and development theories discussed in the chapter as well as based on lessons that the post-independence period gives.