Towards inclusive growth in Africa

Abstract

In view of inclusive growth (IG), a critical research question is: What adjustments to the growth process are necessary to ensure inclusive development? In attempting to answer this question, the paper investigates the concept of inclusive growth from different perspectives and examines the challenges and policy priorities for inclusive growth in the African context. Essential components of inclusive growth are identified. Given the promise it holds to help overcome the pressing obstacles of poverty, unemployment and inequality in a broad-based manner, IG is seen as instrumental in increasing Africa’s economic inclusivity. The question of how inclusive the growth of African economies ought to be, is essential for ensuring sustainable development, considering rising population growth rates. The paper makes a contribution to mapping the way forward towards reaching this goal. Key findings are a reinterpretation of genuine growth and how inclusivity criteria can be used to achieve it.