This book explores important chapters of past and recent African history from a multidisciplinary perspective. It covers an extensive time range from the evolution of early humans to the complex cultural and genetic diversity of modern-day populations in Africa. Through a comprehensive list of chapters, the book focuses on different time-periods, geographic regions and cultural and biological aspects of human diversity across the continent. Each chapter summarises current knowledge with perspectives from a varied set of international researchers from diverse areas of expertise. The book provides a valuable resource for scholars interested in evolutionary history and human diversity in Africa.

CONTENTS PAGE:

Introduction: Engagement Cross-Disciplinary Research in Africa

Part 1 Early Humans in Africa

• Ch. 1: A Southern African Perspective on Human Origins Research between 500 000 and 50 000 Years Ago: Current Dilemmas and Questions for the Future

• Ch. 2: Further Notes on the Ngaloba Industry, a Middle Stone Age Assemblage Directly Associated with Early Homo in the Greater Laetoli, Northern Tanzania

Part 2 Cultural Transitions in Africa

• Ch. 3: West-Central African Diversity from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, Continuities and Transitions during the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene

• Ch. 4: Ancient Urban Assemblages and Complex Spatial and Socio-Political Organization in Iron Age Archaeological Sites from Southern Africa

• Ch. 5: Diversity and Variability in the Preindustrial Iron-Smelting Technologies of Great Zimbabwe, Southern Africa

• Ch. 6: Grappling with Diversity in Livestock-Related, Non-Agriculturist Archaeology in the Light of Genetic Research into the Lactase Persistence Allele, -14010*C, in Southern Africa

Part 3 Genomic Research of Ancient and Modern Populations in Africa

• • Ch. 7: Paleogenomics of the Neolithic Transition in North Africa

  • Ch. 8: Ancient DNA Studies and African Population History

  • Ch. 9: The H3Africa Consortium: Publication Outputs of a Pan-African Genomics Collaboration (2013 to 2020)

  • Ch. 10: Disentangling the Impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in African Diaspora Populations from a Genomic Perspective

Back Matter

Index of Names

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More about these four e-Books:

The four African Successes volumes look at recent improvements in living standards and other measures of development in many African countries with an eye toward identifying what shaped them and the extent to which the lessons learned are transferable and can guide policy in other nations and at the international level.

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This open access textbook by Jakkie Cilliers offers a critical introduction to human and economic development prospects in Africa revolving around three questions: where is Africa today, what explains the current state, and, given historical trends and what we know about the world, where do we think the continent will be in 2040? And, a final question: what can we do to create a better tomorrow? It models ambitious progress in health, demographics, agriculture, education, industrialization, technological leapfrogging, increased trade, greater stability, better governance and external support. The book reviews the future of work/jobs, poverty and the impact of climate change. A combined Closing the Gap scenario presents a forecast of what could be possible by 2040. Each chapter suggests which policies might accelerate prospects for each sector. Written in an accessible style, and supported by a range of pedagogical features, this textbook introduces undergraduate and graduate students to the contemporary human and economic development prospects in Africa.

To summarize, the book:

    + Analyzes human and economic development prospects in Africa

    + Aims to examine where African human and economic development will be in 2040

    + Reviews development trends and suggest policies which might accelerate the development process

CONTENTS PAGE:

Front Matter

• The Growing Gap

• Africa’s Current Path

• Health

• Getting to Africa’s Demographic Dividend

• Wanted: A Revolution in Agriculture

• Boosting Education

• Poverty, Inequality and Growth

• Changing Productive Structures

• The Future of Work in Africa

• Technological Innovation and the Power of Leapfrogging

• Trade and Growth

• Prospects for Greater Peace

• Good Governance, Democracy and Development

• Aid, Remittances and Foreign Direct Investment

• Climate Change

• Closing the Gap

Back Matter

[Book Author: Jakkie Cilliers]

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The growing disparity between the rich and poor remains a critical challenge, affecting countries across all continents, irrespective of their per capita gross domestic product. This widening gap not only impedes efforts to eradicate extreme poverty but also hinders progress toward social justice and resilience-building. Rising inequalities pose substantial barriers to sustainable development, and it is within this context that this book, 'Inequalities in Sub-Saharan Africa: Multidimensional Perspectives and Future Challenges', contributes to ongoing debates, offering a comprehensive analysis of the current challenges and future perspectives of inequality on the African continent. Despite the intensification of calls for wealth taxation and inequality reduction, progress has been slow. A key challenge lies in creating a viable political path for implementing progressive taxation policies. Resistance from those benefiting from the current system often stalls efforts, making progress difficult. Moreover, reducing inequality requires mechanisms that address inequality at its roots. Policies targeting education, competition, financial market regulation, and industrial development all hold the potential to create equitable economic opportunities, ensuring access to credit, job creation, and more-balanced economic growth.

Despite facing unique, profound challenges, Africa is often overlooked in these global discussions. This book seeks to place the continent’s issues of income inequality, unequal access to education and health care, climate vulnerability, and inclusive growth at the center of the conversation. The book further advocates for innovative policies, including competition reforms and bargaining frameworks that shift the balance between capital and labor. Given that inequality in Africa is deeply rooted in historical, economic, and institutional factors, a stronger focus on pre-distribution policies is necessary. These systemic changes can help reshape the conditions under which inequality emerges and persists.

In addition to policy reforms, it is vital to strengthen the research and academic infrastructure that underpins the understanding of inequality. Equity concerns must be addressed within the scientific field, and African research capabilities must be bolstered. This volume, written in collaboration with the African Center of Excellence for Inequality Research, calls for a greater focus on empowering African researchers as part of a broader development strategy. By doing so, it aligns with the World Bank’s and the Agence Française de Développement’s commitment to supporting research as a critical tool for sustainable development.

Contents page:

Foreword: Lost in Inequality? xvii

Acknowledgments xxi

About the Editors and Contributors xxiii

Executive Summary xxxi

Abbreviations xxxvii

PART 1 STATE OF PLAY

1 Overview of Inequalities in Africa 3

Anda David, Rocco Zizzamia, Murray Leibbrandt, Rawane Yasser, and Vimal Ranchhod

• Introduction 3

• Inequality in Africa: Levels and Trends 4

• Particularities of Inequality Analysis in Africa 12

• Conclusion 14

• Note 15

• References 15

2 Measurement of Inequality 17

Muna Shifa, Richmond Atta-Ankomah, and Samuel Kipruto

• Introduction 17

• Overview of Data Availability in SSA 18

• Main Challenges for Inequality Measurement in SSA 20

• Multidimensional Inequality 27

• Conclusion 28

• Notes 29

• References 29

PART 2 ANALYZING AND TACKLING MULTIDIMENSIONAL INEQUALITIES

3 Inequalities in Education and Health 37

Monica Lambon-Quayefio, Vimal Ranchhod, Nkechi Owoo, Moses Muriithi, Linda Zanfini, Reuben Mutegi, and Germano Mwabu

• Introduction 37

• Educational Inequalities 38

• Inequality and Inequity in the Use of Health Care Services 43

• Interlinkages among Education, Health, and Labor Market Outcomes 48

• Conclusion 51

• Notes 52

• References 52

4 Labor Market Inequalities 57

Vimal Ranchhod, Anda David, Damiano Kulundu Manda, Cecilia Poggi, Claire Zanuso, and Rawane Yasser

• Introduction 57

• Employment Outcomes and Earnings Inequality 58

• Informality 61

• Marginalized Groups: Women, Youth, and Ethnic and Racial Groups 64

• Conclusion 70

• Notes 71

• References 71

5 Gender Inequalities 75

Abena D. Oduro, Serge Rabier, Jacqueline Mosomi, and Rawane Yasser

• Introduction 75

• Gender Inequalities in Education 75

• Gender Inequalities in Health 77

• Labor Market Inequalities 80

• Gender Inequalities in Unpaid Care Work 84

• Gender Inequalities in Control of and Access to Productive Resources 88

• Roles of Legal Systems and Social Norms 91

• Conclusion 93

• Notes 93

• References 94

6 Spatial Inequality—Multidimensional Inequalities across Space 103

Nkechi Owoo, Muna Shifa, Vimal Ranchhod, and Mary Zhang

• Introduction 103

• Spatial Inequalities across Settings in SSA 106

• Heterogeneities in Spatial Inequalities 115

• Conclusions and Policy Implications 122

• Note 124

• References 124

7 Migration and Inequality 129

Anda David, Murray Leibbrandt, Muna Shifa, and Rawane Yasser

• Introduction 129

• Migration Patterns in SSA 130

• The Migration–Inequality Nexus 131

• Beyond Economic Inequalities 142

• Conclusion 146

• References 147

8 Social Mobility and the Persistence of Inequality 153

Murray Leibbrandt, Rawane Yasser, Robert Osei, and Mike Savage

• Introduction 153

• Intergenerational Mobility 155

• Intragenerational Mobility 160

• Importance of Targeting Social Mobility in Policies That Tackle Inequalities 168

• Notes 170

• References 171

9 Policies to Tackle Inequality in Africa 177

Fabio Andrés Díaz Pabón, Annalena Oppel, Murray Leibbrandt, Mike Savage, and Anda David

• Introduction 177

• Inside-the-Box Policies 180

• Outside-the-Box Policies 185

• Art of the Possible for Policies to Overcome Inequality 190

• References 193

PART 3 PUSHING THE KNOWLEDGE FRONTIER AND POLICY ACTIONS

10 Climate Change, Poverty Reduction, and Inequality between and within Countries 201

Anda David, Murray Leibbrandt, Hélène Djoufelkit, and Rawane Yasser

• Introduction 201

• Inequalities between Countries 202

• Inequalities within Countries 207

• Tackling Climate Inequalities: The Way Forward 213

• Notes 218

• References 219

11 Sustainability and Patterns of Economic Growth 225

Rawane Yasser, Murray Leibbrandt, Anda David, Fabio Andrés Díaz Pabón, and Hélène Djoufelkit

• Introduction 225

• Growth, Poverty, and Inequality 226

• Why Growth Has Not Been Inclusive 232

• Beyond Growth: Rethinking Models of Economic Growth 239

• Conclusion 246

• Annex 11A Initial Inequality, Poverty, and Growth in Income in Africa 247

• Notes 248

• References 248

Figures

Maps

Tables

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Inventing Africa is a critical account of narratives which have selectively interpreted and misinterpreted the continent's deep past. 

Writers have created alluring images of lost cities, vast prehistoric migrations and golden ages of past civilisations. Debates continue on the African origins of humankind, the contributions of ancient Egypt to the world and Africa's importance to global history. 

Images of 'Africa', simplifying a complex and diverse continent, have existed from ancient Mediterranean worlds, slave trading nations and colonial powers to today's political elites, ecotourists and aid-givers. Robin Derricourt draws on his background as publisher and practitioner in archaeology and history to explore the limits and the dangers of simplifications, arguing - as with Said's concept of 'Orientalism' - that ambitious ideas can delude or oppress as well as inform. Defending Africa against some of the grand narratives that have been imposed upon its peoples, Inventing Africa will spark new debates in the history of Africa and of archaeology.

CONTENTS PAGE:

Preface: The construction of African pasts

1. The changing shape and perception of 'Africa'

2. Mythic and mystic Africa

3. Looking both ways: the enigma of Raymond Dart

4. Egos and fossils

5. Stirring the gene pool: human ancestors from Africa to the wider world

6. Ancient Egypt and African sources of civilisation

7. Old states good, new states bad

8. The present of the past

Notes

Index  

Reviews:

"Derricourt explores the use and misuse of Africa's past, everything from Basil Davidson and Raymond Dart to Afro-centrism and beyond, in an articulate and intelligent analysis that places generations of research and thinking in a broader context. Inventing Africa is certain to become a definitive and widely consulted work for anyone seriously interested in Africa's past." -- Brian Fagan, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara. 

"Engrossing and though-provoking …an exposition of the myths that have grown around African narratives … The breadth and depth of information in this short book is remarkable. In sum, a book that is important, for Africanists of course, but also for understanding the manipulation of archaeological and historical data in general." -- Antiquity

"In this engaging study, Robin Derricourt tackles multiple interwoven and yet often contradictory narratives about Africa’s past. He situates the origins of each, unwrapping intellectual trends and prejudices, and the events and principals involved in their creation and dissemination. In so doing, he critiques and complicates these narratives in broad context and in a no-nonsense voice … Derricourt’s eclectic presentation provides much to consider." -- International Journal of African Historical Studies

"This is one of the most readable books on African archaeology that has ever appeared. … We need more books like this that are historiographical. …The comprehensive and up to date references are an outstanding feature." -- Journal of African Archaeology

"Concisely written in a very readable style … Ideally suited for teachers of African studies across a range of disciplines as well as the general public. Specialists and students will appreciate the historiographical and biographical contents. I imagine it will become a mainstay of college course syllabi rather quickly." -- African Arts

"Derricourt (Univ. of New South Wales, Australia) looks at Africa’s past in terms of the grand theories and micro and macro myths embedded in narratives about the continent over time. With its sober reflection on some of the old discredited shibboleths, this text is useful for metahistory and the history of ideas about the continent. Directly and indirectly, Derricourt provides a fascinating study of the impact of racism on intellectual activity … Summing Up: Recommended." -- Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

"Robin Derricourt has written a lively and engaging book that addresses a largely overlooked issue: how have Western appreciations and conceptualisations of the African continent changed through time. With the African past still comparatively little known, or known to Western audiences, this timely work makes a significant contribution to the history of southern and south-central Africa." -- Peter Mitchell, Professor of African Archaeology, University of Oxford 

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PLAYBOOK

noun

• a book containing a team’s plans for a game;

• a set of rules, suggestions, or methods that are considered to be suitable for a particular activity, industry, job, etc.

— Cambridge Dictionary

From the Introduction:

The liberation movements once used the fight for rights for all as the means to legitimate their campaign for political power, and constrastingly to delegitimate their opponents. Since then, they have been openly willing to undermine or abrogate these rights to retain power, even in the multi-party era. [...]

The rise of autocrats and ‘authoritarian democrats’ can be resisted, but this demands learning some critical, recent lessons. [...]

Leaders of opposition parties and civil society movements [...] need to develop a ‘democracy playbook’ for elections. Oppositions cannot rely on the justice of running against the government. While social media provides real opportunities for the opposition, especially as it lowers the cost of campaigning, it is no panacea, because government can also take advantage of the same tools, and can ‘turn off’ the internet. Beyond running good campaigns, oppositions must have a vision that differentiates them. Parties have to provide citizens with a good reason to vote for them. There is a need, too, for democrats – within and without government – to establish a narrative that transcends the boundaries of identity. In all of this, the opposition has to demonstrate its own democratic credentials in delivering the promise it ran on.

These tactics and the strategies that underpin them are the subject of this playbook, which brings together a group of international specialists, all of whom are keen observers of authoritarian behaviour in Africa and abroad, and many of whom have themselves participated in elections as candidates or observers. This book is intended as a guide for those seeking a more democratic future in turning the tables against autocracy. To ensure a different and better outcome, a dedicated and tough struggle lies ahead. 

Contents page:

Foreword by Bobi Wine

Introduction: Countering the rise of authoritarianism by Greg Mills

The year of elections

Authoritarian democracies

The challenge of the first liberation

Authoritarians brazenly unite

The need for a playbook for democrats

Part 1: How to Rig an Election by Nic Cheeseman

How authoritarians undermine opposition parties and leaders

Stigmatising opposition leaders and divide-and-rule politics

Registration barriers and political exclusion

How authoritarians control the media, silence opposition voices and buy votes

Media control, censorship and disinformation

Voting buying and ‘money politics’

How authoritarians control the population and the campaign

The use of violence to discipline and mobilise

Campaign disruption: Rally bans, movement restrictions, infiltration and co-option

How authoritarians rig before the election

Gerrymandering, electoral register manipulation and voter suppression

How authoritarians rig during the election

Polling station abuses

Electoral fraud

Country Examples:

• People Power in Venezuela by Leopoldo López

• Election Rigging in Zimbabwe by Tendai Biti

• Bobi Wine's account [Uganda] by Bobi Wine

• The Angolan Experience by Paula Roque

• How Elections in Uganda Have Been Rigged and How that Rigging Has Changed over Time by Jeffrey Smith

• Paul Biya’s Longevity in Power and Its Consequences for Cameroon by Felix Nkongho

• Democratic Decline in Sierra Leone by Sherif Ismail

Part 2: How to Win an Election by Ray Hartley and Paula Roque

-Setting priorities and constructing a campaign plan

   ►Country example: Yet Another Changeover at the Ballot Box in Senegal by Pape Samba Kane

-Developing a narrative

-Effective use of the media

   ►Country example: How to Win Properly [Kenya] by John Githongo

-Contesting the digital space

   ►Country example: Poland’s Coalition Turnaround by Greg Mills

-Registration and the voters’ roll

   ►Country example: Zambia: The Power of Winning Big by Bradford Machila

-Polling and parallel voter tabulation

-Digital manipulation

-Managing malign state actors

   ►Country example: Malawi’s ‘Tipp-Ex’ Election by Alex Vines

-Building resilient coalitions

-A role for outsiders?

Part 3: What to Do In Power by Adalberto Costa Jr.; Leopoldo López; Paula Roque and Tendai Biti

-The ’dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of reformers

   ►Country example: Navigating Ghana's Democratic Journey: Lessons for Democrats Worldwide by  Marie-Noelle Nwokolo

-Points of success

   ►Country example: The Argentinian Experience by Marcus Pena

-The premium of leadership

   ►Country example: Lesotho’s Need for a Bold Reset by Greg Mills

-Creating a coincidence of global interests

   ►Country example: What to Do Once in Power [South Africa] by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

   ►Country example: Dancing with Separatists: Lessons from Spain’s Coalition by Greg Mills

   ►Country example: Can Malawi Get ‘Unstuck’? by Greg Mills

Afterword by Adalberto Costa Jr.

In Closing by Peter Obi

About the Authors 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Africa is a fast-changing continent and an area of rising global relevance, where major transformation processes are currently underway, from demographic expansion to economic development, from social progress to environmental challenges, from technological innovation to continental integration, from political change to migratory pressures. How will these complex transformations shape the Africa of tomorrow? 

This 220-page Report sets out a vision for Africa’s future based on five key traits: 

• an archipelago of heterogeneous growth trajectories; 

• the revolutionary impact of technological leapfrogging; 

• regional integration and the growing role of sub-regional processes; 

• the clustering of instability mainly around the core of the region; and 

• the migration movements that originate from – but also predominantly remain within – the African continent.

See also: https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/vision-africas-future-21417 

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