Originally published in 1993, this book contains 3 studies on Africa: Algeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The studies underline the difficulties which Africa has faced in initiating its technological transformation. During the post WW2 period liberation from colonialism came relatively late and therefore many African countries did not have the possibility of participating in the rapid growth of global output and trade. Debt, drought and famine have put additional burdens on the economic conditions of the continet. Adverse conditions and poor infrastructure have made the continent much more vulnerable to both external and internal disturbances and as a result many countries have not had the opportunity to make a real beginning towards their transformation.