Fossil-fuelled development and the legacy of Post-Development theory in twenty-first century Africa

This article examines the legacy of Post-Development theory, in particular its relevance and applicability to debates about Africa’s future. It scrutinises Post-Development theory, and its claims about the end of development, through the prisms of Africa’s continued pursuit of development and its political economy of energy. It considers the impact of these aspects of Africa’s developmental efforts on the ability of Post-Development theory to remain relevant in light of recent developments. Revisiting basic claims of Post-Development theory provides insights into the enduring disconnect and incommensurability between Africa’s twenty-first century socio-economic trajectories and the core assumptions of Post-Development theory.