Will a Marshall Plan for Africa make poverty history?

A large increase in aid for Africa is a priority for both UK government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 2005. Despite a history of aid dependence and low growth, there is evidence that aid has a positive effect in Africa. But more aid alone will not produce rapid growth and poverty reduction. Africa's governance record is very poor and attempts at governance reform have largely failed without commitment from leaders. Equally, the policy conditionality debate shows that domestic political considerations have driven the shaping of economic policy, more than donor pressures. The clientelist account of African politics provides a coherent explanation for poor governance, partial and gradual policy change, and also the failure of governance reforms. It also points to a different policy agenda for aid. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.