Nine world-class experts on the African economy share their knowledge regarding the potential for real improvement and growth in food production and the development of grassroots economies that will benefit citizens as well as governments. Economic models that assume good incentives, infrastructure, entrepreneurial skills, and a level trading field cannot be invoked. Structural adjustment in African countries has led to unintended consequences because the common people and the small farmers have not been consulted. Domestic food production, the crux of Africa's economic problem, has been downgraded because of the emphasis on export crops. To develop self-sufficiency and food security, African nations must mobilize domestic resources, improve the human resource capacity, and strengthen their scientific and technological bases. They must also cooperate in integration schemes rather than compete for the available Western aid.

Distinguished experts on African development offer their considerable knowledge and background to the coming crisis in Africa. They examine not only development but also related factors such as foreign trade, politics, indigenous traditions, and international relations in order to understand development problems on the continent. It is one of the first volumes since the end of the Cold War to analyze African development, or the lack thereof, that had polarized the developing countries for the past 30 years. Yansane and his contributors present the strengths and weaknesses of various development strategies including ideas for the future, such as the inclusion of the human dimension that was overlooked in past strategies for growth. This inclusion would increase participation and the accountability of the political system and parties.