An introduction to the political, social, and economic conditions of the continent, which provides the reader with a background setting to the existing conditions today. Includes over 78 annexes which contain hard-to-find information relating to various economic aspects of the economy by country.

Assesses export competitiveness strategy and private sector development in the country with a view to developing a best practice competitiveness strategy.

This publication addresses factors that promote or inhibit successful provision of the four key international public goods: financial stability, international trade regime, international diffusion of technological knowledge and global environment. Without these goods, developing countries are unable to compete, prosper or attract capital from abroad. The need for public goods provision is also recognized by the Millennium Development Goals, internationally agreed goals and targets for knowledge, health, governance and environmental public goods. The Report addresses the nature of required policies and institutions using the modern principles of collective action.