How Africa Works: Success and Failure on the World's Last Developmental Frontier: Longlisted for the FT Business Book of the Year
Jan 2026 · Profile Books
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LONGLISTED FOR THE FT BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026
'One of the most original and important books on Africa in years' FINANCIAL TIMES
The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain?
In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management.
Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development.
From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.
'One of the most original and important books on Africa in years' FINANCIAL TIMES
The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain?
In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management.
Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development.
From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.
LONGLISTED FOR THE FT BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026
'One of the most original and important books on Africa in years' FINANCIAL TIMES
The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths ab...
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About the author
Joe Studwell is a researcher and consultant. He is the Senior Visiting Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute in London, and holds a PhD in global business and development from the University of Cambridge. Previous titles include How Asia Works and The China Dream.
Joe Studwell is a researcher and consultant. He is the Senior Visiting Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute in London, and holds a PhD in global business and development from the University of Cambridge. Previous titles include How Asia Works and The China Dream.
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