‘Good’ Aid Conditionality for the African Continental Free Trade Area

Abstract

This paper proposes a broad set of conditions for effective foreign aid that can promote sustained economic growth and development in Africa in line  with the African Continental Free Area (AfCFTA) programme of “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”. It argues that lenders should insist on guarantees that  borrowing African countries will use loans, grants and technical assistance for projects and programmes that advance regional economic linkages –  tacitly the AfCFTA programme. The assertion is that this ‘good’ aid conditionality ensures discernible economic diversification that creates sustainable and  decent employment – the essence of economic development. The proposed form of aid conditionality carries broad theory, policy, and practice  lessons to the development aid discourse.