First published 2022
African economic development follows patterns that recent data now reveal clearly. Morten Jerven examines newly discovered state records on wages, living standards, and taxation across the continent. These documents show how African economies grew steadily from the late 1800s through the 1970s, then collapsed during the 1980s crisis, before recovering in the final decades of the century. Jerven connects colonial administration with postcolonial governance to explain these shifts. His analysis covers the full sweep of the twentieth century, linking historical evidence with contemporary outcomes. The book provides readers with a data-driven framework for understanding why some African nations prospered while others struggled, and how state capacity shaped economic trajectories across different eras.
Genres: history, 20th-century, economics, non-fiction, 21st-century, africa
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: data-driven, historical-analysis
Setting: Africa
Period: Late 1800s, 1970s, 1980s, Late 20th Century
280 pages · Hardcover · Cambridge University Press