Foreign Aid, Rule of Law and Sustainable Development in Africa

Why has decades of foreign aid failed to deliver sustainable development in Africa?In this bold and intellectually compelling work, Dário Camal challenges conventional narratives around international assistance and exposes the structural tensions between foreign aid, state sovereignty, and the rule of law. Through a sharp and interdisciplinary lens, the book reveals how aid, often presented as a tool for progress, can inadvertently reinforce dependency, weaken institutions, and distort governance priorities. Using Mozambique as a powerful case study, this book uncovers the political, legal, and economic dynamics that shape development outcomes across the continent. It critically examines the role of global actors such as the IMF, World Bank, and international donors, questioning whether their models truly promote accountability, or merely reproduce asymmetries of power. More than a critique, this work is a call to rethink development. It proposes a strategic reorientation of international cooperation one that prioritizes institutional integrity, national ownership, and long-term sustainability.