African Miracle, African Mirage

The book explores the complexities of Ivory Coast's development, challenging the narrative of an 'African miracle' and highlighting the impact of external interests and local agency in shaping its history.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Ivory Coast was celebrated as an African miracle, symbolizing modernization and the potential of Western aid and multinational corporations to transform the continent. However, this narrative was challenged by Marxist scholars like Samir Amin, who argued that the capitalist activities in Ivory Coast were superficial and unsustainable, failing to bring about meaningful change for the average citizen. The subsequent economic collapse in the 1980s lent credence to Amin's critiques, highlighting the discrepancies in the development narrative.

In African Miracle, African Mirage, Abou B. Bamba takes a multidisciplinary approach, weaving together economics, political science, and history to present a comprehensive analysis of the development practices and colonial legacies that continue to influence Ivory Coast today. He scrutinizes the roles of hydroelectric projects and the sugar, coffee, and cocoa industries, revealing the complexities behind the country's economic fluctuations. By doing so, Bamba emphasizes the importance of Ivorian agency, a perspective often overlooked in conventional development histories.

Ultimately, the author argues that the so-called 'maldevelopment' observed by the mid-1970s stemmed less from the inadequacies of the Ivorian populace and more from the conflicting objectives of French and American interests in a rapidly globalizing world. This insightful study challenges prevailing narratives and encourages a deeper understanding of the intricate forces at play in Ivory Coast's development journey.