Customer Reviews:
 Asking the right questions March 3, 2006
NMS Holman (London)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
Aid to Africa does not work. Or at least, it does not work anything like as well it has elsewhere in the world. Despite billions of dollars from donors, led by the World Bank, more Africans are poor today than ever, whether as a percentage its population or as a grim figure. Why is this? If you maintain - like Bono and Bob Geldof - that the answer to the continent's crisis is to double aid to Africa, then look out: The Trouble with Africa by Robert Calderossi will make you very cross. But do not for that reason ignore this outstanding contribution to an under-informed debate. Mr Calderossi knows what he is talking about. He has worked in the front line of the aid businesss - as one of the World Bank's all-powerful resident representatives (in Cote d'Ivoire), and as the Bank's head of public relations. And if you believe that before well-meaning observers come up with answers to Africa's crisis, they should be first asking the right questions, this seminal book, as hardhitting as it is compassionate, provides a quiverful.
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