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  • © 2019

An Economic History of Development in sub-Saharan Africa

Economic Transformations and Political Changes

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Looks at the role of the state and how it has shaped the economic and social history of sub-Saharan Africa from 1000AD to the present
  • Addresses contemporary challenges to the region including population increase, HIV crisis, aid dependency, international trade agreements, Chinese interests
  • Suitable for students in economic history, development studies, political science, globalisation and African studies
  • Offers important insights for policy makers and development practitioners
  • Provides a guide to the academic field of African economic history

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Economic History (PEHS)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
  2. On Writing Africa’s Economic History

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 1-10
  3. Research on Africa’s History and Development—A Review

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 11-29
  4. Back in History—1000–1850

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 31-78
  5. Economic and Political Integration 1850–1920

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 79-117
  6. Transformation and Administration—1920–1950

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 119-151
  7. The Expansion and Crisis of the Gate-Keeping State 1950–1985

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 153-194
  8. Period of Deregulation 1985–2005

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 195-235
  9. Growth and Global Integration 2005–

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 237-263
  10. Summarising the Past and Hypothesising About the Future

    • Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green
    Pages 265-272
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 273-286

About this book

‘This is a desperately needed book. It not only surveys the field of African economic history at the level of undergraduate students, but provides several fresh perspectives, drawing on insights from the latest research on the evolution of African societies and their economic prosperity. This valuable source of teaching material will be the premier text on African economic history for at least the next decade.’
—Johan Fourie, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

This upper level textbook offers a historical understanding of sub-Saharan Africa. By looking at the economic history of the African region from before the arrival of European territorial control all the way through to Africa’s integration in the current era of globalisation, readers can understand the development paths for African countries today. Organisation of production, social structures, trade, and governance are key factors in the discussion about African success stories and failures.

Suitable reading for upper level undergraduates, MSc and postgraduate students, in addition to policy makers and development practitioners looking for a comprehensive overview of Africa from an economic and social perspective. Hillbom and Green also provide a starting point for the study of African economic history for those who would like to continue their own research in this area.



Authors and Affiliations

  • Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Ellen Hillbom, Erik Green

About the authors

Ellen Hillbom is Associate Professor in the Department of Economic History, Lund University, Sweden. 

Erik Green is Associate Professor in the Department of Economic History, Lund University, Sweden.



Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access