Alternative to Eurocentric Development Theory: African-centered theory of Development

Abstract

The central thesis of this paper is that Africa needs to formulate a development theory that should guide her quest for development. It is the submission of the paper that the development theories and prescriptions that have been sold to Africa cannot take her to development as they are rooted in a social, historical, and political setting that are completely different from those that obtain in Africa. Arising from the faulty premise of Western social science, an alternative development theory is suggested, one that values the human person, where spirituality is central, and the environment enjoys a prime place. All development is ideologically driven, African development should be ethically driven.