Sarah Michael is a Research Fellow at the Global Equity Initiative, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

• The powerful and the powerless: understanding NGOs in development - NGO power - The power of local NGOs in Zimbabwe - The power of local NGOs in Tanzania - The power of local NGOs in Senegal - Why power is crucial to NGOs - Powerful NGOs, sustainable NGOs - Helping local NGOs in Africa to develop power.

This is a fascinating book for those interested in the tactics of how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) become powerful.... It can help African NGO leaders to analyse their relationship to governments, donors and other NGOs: the key is in understanding that these actors also have needs and constraints, and in working with these in every situation.... Achieving power in Africa will not be easy. For, while African NGOs seem to be able to work well with each other, they face stiff competition from strong international NGOs. Their governments do not allow them stable space and they buckle under often unfair rules of the game set by donor agencies, such as refusals to pay for core costs. ..But there are some clear routes to follow. Michael recommends that NGOs focus on and capture a niche in which to excel, and that they develop professional organisation and staff. They should publicise their work - also internationally - and combine it with high-quality research. NGOs should generate their own revenue. They should build a strong and well-connected leadership, and increase engagement with the political aspects of development work. And they should learn how to play the spaces that open up between African governmental tactics towards civil society at home and in international forums. -