Abstract
Africa is often presented as the theatre or space for experimenting with all manner of development blueprints. It is the guinea pig for those with lofty idea/l/s of social transformation. The continent has endured the prescription of numerous development theories and models. Given the ongoing challenges of poverty and inequality across most parts of the continent, it would be difficult to contest the verdict that these prescriptions have not succeeded in promoting holistic human development. This chapter provides an overview of the discourse on development, alongside a historical description of some of the more prominent development theories and models that have either been recommended or attempted in Africa. The chapter discusses the challenges around defining development, with special reference to Africa. It then proceeds to provide an overview of Africa’s quest for development. The chapter then highlights the responses of selected pan-Africanists to the quest for development in Africa.
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Notes
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Mallence Bart-William, 26 January 2015, “Change your channel,” TEDxBerlinSalon, www.youtube.com/watch, accessed on 28 January 2022.
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Chitando, E. (2022). Africa and the Quest for Sustainable Development: A Critical Review. In: Chitando, E., Kamaara, E. (eds) Values, Identity, and Sustainable Development in Africa. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12938-4_3
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