The most intellectual African man I’ve ever heard give a presentation. Andrew Mwenda (Ugandan editor of The Independent) discusses “Africa and the Curse of Foreign Aid” at Yale in 2010. Quote: “The biggest challenge our continent is facing is how we can foster incentives for governments to develop a vested interest in building functional public institutions that can deliver public goods and public services through public institutions or political institutions impersonally to anonymous citizens” – In 78 minutes he covers everything from the sociological foundations of African political patronage (basically rooted in social insurance against agrarian risk), state functionality, incentives and the need for existential threats as drivers for real change. Do yourself a favor and learn from an African who clearly has something worthwhile to say.
Nic Spaull 