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Introduction

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Value Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Abstract

The introductory chapter illustrates the relevance of (research on) global value chains (GVCs) in sub-Saharan Africa. It provides an overview of the state of the art, and outlines the structure of the edited volume. Five key features of GVCs are identified, and the respective chapter contributions summarised: first, governance institutions and their policies are critical for the dynamics of GVCs and their impact on economic development. Second, GVCs are diverse, which has far-reaching implications for both economics and politics. Third, regional value chains have recently gained considerable political relevance, arguably being an alternative to value chains of a global scope. Fourth, the political and socio-economic effects of GVC participation merit more attention too. Fifth, there is a need to consider the sub-national dimension of GVCs, particularly the roles of cities and city regions.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    One example is ‘Policy Research in International Services and Manufacturing’ (PRISM), a research unit at the University of Cape Town, which conducts research on globalisation, trade and the prospects of industrialisation in sub-Saharan Africa. For further information on PRISM and its publications, see: www.prism.uct.ac.za.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, University of Hanover, Hanover, Germany

    Sören Scholvin

  2. School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Anthony Black

  3. Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Javier Revilla Diez

  4. Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa

    Ivan Turok

Authors
  1. Sören Scholvin
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  2. Anthony Black
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  3. Javier Revilla Diez
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  4. Ivan Turok
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Correspondence to Sören Scholvin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, University of Hanover, Hanover, Germany

    Sören Scholvin

  2. School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Anthony Black

  3. Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Javier Revilla Diez

  4. Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa

    Ivan Turok

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Scholvin, S., Black, A., Revilla Diez, J., Turok, I. (2019). Introduction. In: Scholvin, S., Black, A., Revilla Diez, J., Turok, I. (eds) Value Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa. Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06206-4_1

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