In April 2000, a World Bank publication
focused on the question, “Can
Africa Claim the 21st Century?”. The
founding of the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the
transformation of the Organisation of African
Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU),
in 2001 and 2002 respectively, provided a
cogent affirmative response. It placed the
African continent firmly on a progressive
developmental trajectory, leading to
accelerated socio-economic development.
