The African manufacturing sector continues to face many problems as it struggles to progress from its presently underdeveloped state. If the countries that make up Africa are ever to raise the living standards of the vast majority of its population to a more acceptable level, then the economic growth that would result from an enlarged and improved manufacturing sector may hold an important key.

The book provides a useful source of greater understanding of African manufacturing firms and the perplexing lack of widespread industrial growth during the post-colonial decades. The comprehensive coverage includes such themes as:

*the size and distribution of firms in Africa

*entrepreneurship, labour and the regulatory and business environments in Africa

*the dynamic problem of growth and investment of firms

Any reader wanting to understand the economic problems of Africa will need to read this book, and any student, academic or policy-maker working in the areas of development and industrial economics will find it to be a most useful guide.