Paper long abstract:

This paper examines the rationale that seems to have underpinned the Africa Commission and the likely impact the commission's policies will have for development and underdevelopment on the continent. The alternatives seem to have been starkly laid out. Namely the importance of the continents' leaders adopting commission policies of resource led growth, greater incorporation into the 'world' economy and market liberalisation for a newly empowered, and educated, African meritocracy. Alternatively the Commission offered a green light for international firms to plunder the continent of its resources, minerals and labour whilst African leaders are led to believe these are strategies that they themselves have chosen in 'their' demand for sovereignty and improved economic performance.