Development largely depends on how given places participate in global economic processes.The
contributions to this book address various features of the integration of sub-Saharan Africa
into the world economy via value chains so as to explain corresponding challenges and
opportunities. The book deals with five issues that have not been covered adequately in
scientific debates: first policies are essential to promote value chains and increase their
impact on development second value chains are diverse and the variance between them has
major economic and political implications third regional value chains appear to constitute a
viable alternative to global ones (or at least are complementary to them) promising better
developmental outcomes for the Global South fourth political and socio-economic factors are
important considerations for a complete assessment of value chains fifth cities and city
regions are also crucial objects of study in seeking to achieve a comprehensive assessment of
value chains.
