In Fall 1987, the United States Congress, concerned about the future of development in Africa, provided a new assistance instrument to the United States Agency for International Development (USAlD). This instrument, called the Development Fund for Africa (DFA), was the tangible result of a new compact between USAlD and Congress on an approach to development in Africa. Three key elements of the compact were: (1) a commitment to secure funding; (2) flexibility; and (3) a results orientation. Congress asked that USAlD periodically report on its experiences, both positive and negative. This report presents a frank appraisal of USAID successes and failures, and assesses the impact of USAID”s use of about $3.5 billion of DFA monies between fiscal years 1988 and 1992. Some programs have achieved negligible or limited results, but, overall, USAlD programs are making a positive and substantive difference in the lives of the people of Africa. The report presented here is divided into three parts. The first section provides an overview of Africa”s progress and USAlD”s programs. The second section looks at USAID”s programs and impacts in three key areas: (1) investing in economic and political democracy; (2) investing in people (health, population and education); and (3) investing in agriculture (including natural resource management and the environment). The report concludes with a discussion of sustainable development in Africa. (Author abstract, modified)
