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Theoretical Debate on the Development Aid in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Usman Ugboga Koku

    (Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya)

  • Oduor Isaiah Otieno

    (Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya)

  • Edward Kisiang’ani

    (Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya)

Abstract

Development aid flow to African countries started in 1960s when most African countries attained Independence from their colonial masters. The aim of giving development aid to African countries is to help them overcome development challenges. It was estimated that west developed countries has spent about $600 billion on development aid to African countries. Yet, there is little effect of development aid on socio-economic and political development in African countries. This led to ongoing debate on effectiveness of aid on development. The paper has traced the historical origin of development aid, and the theoretical justification of the need of giving aid to African countries. It also explained the theoretical debate among scholars who are in support of development aid as a mean of promoting economic development in African countries and those with the view that development aid failed to deliver development to African countries, instead it created dependency syndrome. The study reveals that corruption, aid conditionality, aid volatility, debt and unfair trade relations between the developed countries and African countries hindered the effective performance of development aid in African countries. The study also found out that African leaders attempted to address the failures of development aid in the continent, through Lagos action plans and Monrovia declaration of development agenda under the umbrella of organization of Africa Union (Africa Union), but the two documents failed to address the lack of political and economic growth in African countries. Therefore the study recommend that, the pattern of relationship between donor countries and African countries, have to be redesign, and the structural imbalance in the global trading system must be reform, and free trade should be replaced with fair trade. The study also suggests that African governments should reforms their political and economic institutions in order to address the problem of corruption and management of development aid in the continent.

Suggested Citation

  • Usman Ugboga Koku & Oduor Isaiah Otieno & Edward Kisiang’ani, 2022. "Theoretical Debate on the Development Aid in Africa," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(12), pages 520-528, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:6:y:2022:i:12:p:520-528
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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