News & Events

Rapid economic growth in Africa over the past two decades has provoked intense public and academic debate about the nature and sustainability of Africa’s economic transition. Is this simply another commodity boom, or is current growth rooted in a more profound transformation of the African social and political fabric? The programme committee of the 10th 'New Frontiers in African Economic History Workshop' (30-31 October, Wageningen University) launches a broad call for papers in the field of African Economic History. Morten Jerven ('Poor Numbers') and the ASC's Chibuike Uche are among the committee's members.

Muhammadu Buhari has won the presidential elections in Nigeria. What's to be expected of his new government in terms of the economy? On 22 April, the ASC organizes a Country Meeting about Nigeria with the theme: 'The incoming government and its implication for Nigeria’s growth and economic transformation 2015-2019'. Keynote speeches will be given by Dr David Ehrhardt (assistant Professor in International Development, Leiden University College) and Dr Dele Olowu (consultant on governance and capacity development). You may also want to read the new web article on the election results by ASC researcher Akinyinka Akinyoade.

Recent years have seen a sharp increase in speculations that China’s development trajectory may provide a model for African states. This seminar by Elsje Fourie (University of Maastricht) on 19 February examines the ideational influence of China’s development on developing country elites. Elites in two country cases - Ethiopia and Kenya - indeed look outside their borders for exemplars of development. China, however, is viewed as only one source of potential ‘lessons’.