Developmental States in Africa: Beyond the Private Sector-State Nexus

We invite members to discuss a proposal to host a meeting of the Africa Working Group in 2019/2020 at the Doha Graduate Institute in August/September.

Please see the rough concept note below:

Slowing global growth in 2018 and 2019 has called into question whether the upturn in African economic growth since 2000 is structural or cyclical. This conference will discuss the nature of the transformations in patterns of African economic growth since the dawn of the new millennium with a special emphasis on the countries of northeast Africa. We are particularly interested in different models of the developmental state. For instance how successful should we judge the Ethiopian experiment in state led development? What of the experiences of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe and since 2011 in Sudan? How has the private sector dealt with cases of economic and political instability? In which cases have private firms been successful in initiating transformative developments?

This conference will propose strategies for African economies to escape what a number of economic historians have described as patterns of “recurring growth.” We propose to examine which strategies have been successful for creating enduring patterns of growth even in times of global economic stress and turmoil. Additionally, we investigate the roles of international and regional organizations in economic development. We also ask how successful private sector and state partnerships can be constructed that bring about enduring economic transformations. Finally, we hope to explore northeast Africa as a strategic region focusing on the involvement of the United States, the European Union, Russia, China and the Gulf Countries in the economic stability of the various countries of northeast and East Africa.