Success Stories from "Emerging Africa"

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s, seventeen emerging countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been leaving behind the conflicts, stagnation, and dictatorships of the past and achieving steady economic growth, deepening democracy, stronger leadership, and falling poverty—and six additional African countries are showing signs that they may be on the same path. The paths of the countries that comprise "emerging Africa" are characterized by five commonalities democratic and accountable governments; the implementation of more sensible economic policies; the end of the decades-long debt crisis, and with it major changes in Africa's relationship with the international community; the spread of new technologies that promote political accountability and create fresh business opportunities; and the emergence of a new generation of policy makers, activists, and business leaders.