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New book published - Open Access
The Future of Africa. Challenges and Opportunities

This new textbook analysing human and economic development prospects in Africa was published recently by Dr Jakkie Cilliers from the Institute for Security Studies, with HSF support. Based on "Africa First! Igniting a Growth Revolution" (2020), the new Open Access book is met with great interest - it has already been downloaded more than 45000 times.

 

Graph:Expected population developments in Current Path Scenario vs Demographic Dividend Scenario

Expected population developments in Current Path Scenario vs Demographic Dividend Scenario

Future of Africa

Assessments and policy recommendations

The highly topical textbook can be accessed online free of charge by anyone interested – and one can download individual chapters as well. Find it here:

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-46590-2#about

In 16 chapters on topics such as agriculture, health care, demography, climate change, education and social inequality, long-term scenarios for developments on the African continent are presented, often using informative graphics. Concrete policy recommendations are formulated for different sectors - implementing them can help to accelerate inclusive growth and sustainable development to improve people's quality of life.

Evidence based forecasting

What needs to be done to unlock Africa's potential and stimulate economic growth? Could the corona crises be used as a catalyst to invest in the structural modernization of African economies? And can the expected restructuring and diversification of global supply chains also be an opportunity for Africa and foreign investors?

The interventions proposed by Cilliers draw on up-to-date, reliable data sets from the International Futures platform at the Pardee Center for International Futures at the University of Denver. The complex, dynamic model makes it possible to analyze the long-term effects and interaction of potential measures in key areas and to forecast developments up to 2040.

New open access book by Dr. Jakkie Cilliers, ISS

ISS

Graph:Potential additional growth in GDP per Capita in scenario of combined successful interventions in different areas (Closing the Gap) vs. Current Path Scenario

Potential additional growth in GDP per Capita in scenario of combined successful interventions in different areas (Closing the Gap) vs. Current Path Scenario

Future of Africa

Great interest in long-term development prospects

Africa First! Igniting a growth revolution” by Jakkie Cilliers (2020), which the new textbook is based on, was drawing on a focused series of studies by the African Futures & Innovation Program in the renowned Institute for Security Studies - the ISS is an important, long-term partner of the HSF on the African continent.

The book has been met with great interest, by decision makers and key institutions in Africa, Europe and the US as well. Former German Federal President Prof Horst Köhler referred to the value of the book in several of his keynote speeches on the future of German and European partnership with Africa.

A book can make a difference

The new and updated, reader friendly textbook edition, again supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, is now an important, welcome addition - all the more so because it is very accessible, free of charge.

"This book can make a difference and will contribute to improving the human condition on our continent."  (Prof Maxi Schoeman, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria)

 

"The Future of Africa. Challenges and Opportunities" can be downloaded free of charge here:

Download "The Future of Africa" here 

 

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