Strategies for Pro-poor Growth: Pro-poor, Pro-growth or Both?

What is pro-poor growth, and is it a useful concept for African development policy? This paper examines the debate between proponents of growth and poverty reduction, highlighting the diversity of regional and country experiences in promoting development with these two objectives. The author concludes that the most effective development policies will be those that advocate a shared growth strategy, using public policy to create growth, while also promoting the engagement of the poor to ensure that they are active participants in, and beneficiaries of growth. Natural resource revenue management, agricultural exports, and regional integration are highlighted as three of the most promising areas for promoting such growth strategies. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.