Economic recovery and self-sustaining development in sub-Saharan Africa: a review of capacity building implications/ created by Jide Balogun

Africa's development deficit is essentially a deficit in human and institutional capacity. Capacity building has always formed an integral part of development policy management in Africa, but so far has not produced any durable results. This article outlines a new capacity building strategy that addresses the need for self-sustaining development. Development is not a formula to be copied without regard to the conditions prevailing in a country. Development is a process in which society identifies its problems and provides an atmosphere that is congenial to the articulation of ideas for resolving these problems. To enhance the problem-solving capacity of indigenous resources, there is a need for an enabling environment without such constraints as bureaucratic impediments or political instability. A major explanation for the retarded growth of indigenous capacity in Africa is the tendency in many African countries to transfer the initiative for capacity building to external bodies. Often the capacity building implications of technical assistance programmes have been ignored. African countries have to identify themselves both their needs and their options. Donor agencies, technical cooperation organizations and the recipient countries should reconsider the way in which aid is offered.