The African Inheritance discusses pre-colonial Africa, the increasing European interest in the continent, the European partition and the subsequent colonial rule and decolonization, and examines the consequences of its colonial inheritance: the large number of very small and weak states, the geographically marginal capital cities, contentious international boundaries, dependent land-locked states, destructive secessionist movements, irredentism and African imperialism.

Africa has attempted to tackle these problems through abortive political union of states, economic groupings and reorientation of infrastructural development away from a colonially-based system. Yet individual development is inhibited by the colonially imposed strait-jacket of political geography.

1. In developing the theme of the colonial inheritance of Africa, The African Inheritance is essential reading for a better understanding of the confusing current problems of the continent. To look for immediate causes alone can be misleading. The African Inheritance directs the reader to a broader and deeper understanding of the contemporary map of the continent.