Publication

This brief reviews the system of corporate governance emerging in Africa and examines whether this system has distinctive African characteristics. The author suggests that except for some particular areas, corporate governance on the continent is underdeveloped, but that the emerging system does consist of a mix of universal and distinctly African elements. He suggests that a central element of the African nature of the system is the recognition that corporate governance demands consideration of stakeholders beyond businesses, and that socioeconomic rather than purely financial criteria should measure corporate activities.