This could be Africa’s decade, but not if it relies on aid

In the last decade, six of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies were in Africa. While everyone was talking about China, Angola was in fact top of the list, growing at an extraordinary 11 per cent per year. With the current Euro crisis, Angola has even bought assets from its ex-colonial master, Portugal. Even Ethiopia, a country which has a painful recent history of famine and war, experienced 10.9 per cent GDP growth last year. A growing list of African countries including Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Morocco are on the up. So does this mean that the provision of international aid is finally working?

By Nick Thorne | Battle of Ideas, Opinion | Sunday, 20 November 2011 at 6:00 am