The World Bank's Role in Human Resource Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Education, Training, and Technical Assistance

Abstract

This study examines the World Bank's role in promoting human resource development in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It was motivated by concerns that progress in overcoming shortages of skilled and trained manpower seems to be disappointingly slow, despite the substantial resources devoted by both governments and donors to this effort during the last three decades. The study presents an overview of the problem and its likely causes, the efforts made to resolve it, and accomplishments since independence. It profiles the history and evolution of the Bank's involvement and selected issues in African education, technical assistance, and training efforts. The study finds that these concerns over progress are warranted, and considers a number of policy options - for example, in education, making greater use of fee-for-service mechanisms to encourage better performance, and, in technical assistance, using mechanisms that, in effect, correct some of the relevant market distortions. It offers valuable lessons that should help practitioners design policies and programs better adapted to the challenges of African development.

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