We Are the World

Compared to the 1980s and '90s, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has experienced a resurgence of economic growth, though this growth hasn't led to structural transformation. Additionally, SSA has underperformed in translating growth into positive development outcomes like poverty reduction. These patterns challenge standard growth theory, which predicts that growth at the top of the distribution will trickle down and benefit everyone. In We Are the World, the authors enrich and update research conducted over the last ten years, adding new evidence to recast the socio-economic narrative and pave the way for a candid and non-ideological debate on how to help SSA get on track. Challenging a widespread mainstream interpretation, the authors illuminate the nature, evolution, and consequences of SSA losing ground in the development race, offering a bold reform agenda to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent.