Increasing the Impact of African Nonprofit Groups on Development

Undermining Development: The Absence of Power Among Local NGOs in Africa, by Sarah Michael, diagnoses why local nonprofit groups in Africa collectively fall short of their potential to engage in development. Ms. Michael, a research associate with Harvard University’s Global Equity Initiative, says African groups have not been able to develop the financial independence, strong ties to international organizations, and political influence that their counterparts in Latin America or South Asia have. Drawing on case studies from Senegal, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, she advises local groups to find their own sources of revenue, to collaborate with other community groups, and to ally with international organizations. Donors, in turn, should consider underwriting operating expenses, not just projects, and providing training courses and other noncash support to local groups.

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 601 North Morton Street, Bloomington, Ind. 47404-3797; (800) 842-6796; fax (812) 855-7931; iupress@indiana.edu; http://iupress.indiana.edu; 206 pages; $22.95.