Africa’s Moment

Unlike most Americans and Europeans, Africans are beginning to see themselves as better off than five years ago, placing great hope in the future of their children. In their first book, French development experts Severino and Ray argue that today’s Africa is no longer a “tragic” continent, and they outline credible future scenarios for African re-emergence. Today, middle classes are growing within cities, the foundations for strong economic growth have returned, and “whether tomorrow’s world runs on oil, coal, uranium, or biofuels, Africa will count among the leading world suppliers of energy.” Yet there are problems too: sub-Saharan Africa’s population increase has created a class of young urban unemployed, multiplying the number of people wanting to leave Africa at a time when international migration is heavily constrained. While many think of the African people as “rural, poor, and cut off from the world,” this book aims to show that the inhabitants of the “black continent” are developing exciting international aspirations. Academic in tone, the book would suit readers researching contemporary Africa. (Mar.)