Policy reform programs in Africa : a preliminary assessment of impacts

and other donors have increasingly stressed programs to reform the misguided economic policies - aimed at fostering industrial and urban development at the expense of rural producers - which have been the main cause of Africa's poor economic performance over the past three decades. This report assesses the impacts of such donor programs in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa - Zambia, Somalia, Mali, Zaire, and Zimbabwe. Notable in each case study is an assessment of the impact of policy reform programs on the agricultural sector and an analysis of the role of U.S. assistance. A summary section indicates the positive effects of the economic reform programs on agriculture and the economy, while acknowledging that bad weather, falling export prices, and debt service have generally slowed macroeconomic progress. It also notes some problems involved in implementing economic reform programs (e.g., the difficulty of managing price interventions) and the critical role played by donors in promoting policy reform. A strong affirmation of the need for donors to continue stressing policy reform concludes the report.