Regional Development Poles and the Transformation of African Economies

Book excerpt: This book argues that the development of capital goods manufacturing industries in four relatively large African economies will create regional development poles, from which industrialization will spread to the smaller African countries. In this book, Benaiah Yongo-Bure explains the need for capital goods industries in Africa and shows how manufacturing can transform economies. He outlines the roles of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa as potential regional development poles, showing how the existing economies, natural resources, and populations of these countries make them ideal candidates, while also considering possible challenges to industrialization. Finally, the author assesses what major infrastructural development is needed to link the countries and regions to increase the spread effects of economic growth. This book will be of interest to scholars and policy makers in economic development and regional development in Africa.