Publication Date
11-15-2025
Abstract
After independence, most African governments pursued public sector based economic development strategies based on import substitution which were considered to be key to rapid industrialization and modernization oflow-income countries. This public sector-led economic development however, proved to be unsustainable. There were severe economic crises associated with lack of growth, high inflation, rising internal and foreign debts, crumbling infrastructure and shortage of essential commodities. Protected from competition, the public sector and its enterprises failed to innovate, relied on inappropriate capital-intensive technologies, and became dependent on imported inputs. With this, came the Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP's) where the public sector became the regulator and facilitator, as the private sector stepped up in driving economic growth. Onboarding the private sector hasn't been a perfect model either. In driving growth, the market forces have brought about income inequality, exploitation, and disregard for social welfare, thus fueling the increased emergence and intervention of third sector organizations. This sector is called upon to balance transitional interplay of the public and private sector forces in fostering development. Drawn upon from a review of relevant policy and political literature, the conclusion presented in this review study reflectively outlines that the growth of third sector organizations in Africa presents important opportunities, notably improving the diversity of service providers and fostering innovative and responsive local services.
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