This book is a penetrating comparative analysis of the economic development efforts of West African countries. It seeks to illuminate the grey areas in development and to emphasize the appropriate actions that should be taken at all levels in the emerging international economy to ensure sustainable development. Olaniyan examines conceptual and theoretical problems of foreign aid and economic development, along with the limitations of the concept of self-reliance. The book also features a comparative analysis of the internal and external development problems associated with West African countries, including difficulties of collective self-reliance at the subregional level. Olaniyan concludes that there are prospects for sustainable development in the area, especially if it is internally generated.