“Actors of Change in Africa: Human Capital and Markets.” Africa at a Fork in the Road: Taking Off or Disappointment Once Again?

Yale Center for the Study of Globalization

Yaw Nyarko

In this paper I will be presenting two ideas that I think are critical to economic development. The two ideas are markets and human capital. I will argue that these two factors are often unappreciated in economic development circles—or, I should say, their importance relative to other factors is unappreciated. I will also discuss how, when given the opportunity, Africans have seized market opportunities, acquired human capital, and achieved major successes that are also often unappreciated.