Call for Book Chapters
Development Economics: Global Perspectives and Contemporary Challenges
Proposed Book Preview
This book provides a thorough examination of development economics, combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications and case studies from across the developing world. Designed for academicians, researchers, advanced students and policy makers, it emphasizes data-driven analysis, policy evaluation, and real-world problem-solving. The text incorporates contemporary challenges facing developing nations while providing analytical tools and methodological approaches for understanding and addressing these issues.
Book Chapter Overview
This section establishes the theoretical and conceptual groundwork for understanding economic development, exploring fundamental concepts, measurement approaches, and classical theories while introducing students to the complexities of development challenges.
Chapter 1: Understanding and Measuring Economic Development
- Concepts and definitions of development
- Historical perspectives on economic development
- Contemporary approaches to development thinking
- Economic indicators and their limitations
- Human Development Index and alternative measures
- Data analysis and interpretation in development contexts
Chapter 2: Theories and Characteristics of Developing Economies
- Classical development theories
- Structuralist and dependency theories
- Modern growth theories and their applications
- Structural features of underdevelopment
- Common challenges and constraints
- Developmental bottlenecks and barriers
This section delves into the interconnected challenges of promoting growth while addressing inequality, poverty, and human capital development.
Chapter 3: Economic Growth, Poverty, and Inequality
- Determinants of economic growth
- Growth patterns in developing countries
- Growth strategies and policy implications
- Conceptualizing and measuring poverty
- Multidimensional poverty approaches
- Income and wealth distribution
- Policy approaches to reducing inequality
Chapter 4: Human Capital and Labor Markets
- Education, skills, and productivity
- Healthcare and economic development
- Labor markets and employment dynamics in developing countries
This section focuses on the role of institutions, policies, and governance in shaping development outcomes.
Chapter 5: Institutional Frameworks, Governance, and Public Finance
- Role of institutions in development
- Governance and economic performance
- Corruption and development challenges
- Fiscal policy and development
- Tax systems in developing countries
- Public expenditure management
Chapter 6: International Finance, Trade, and Development
- Global financial architecture
- Foreign aid and debt management
- International financial institutions
- International trade theory and policy
- Global value chains
- Regional integration and development
This section examines key economic sectors and their roles in the development process, providing detailed analysis of sector-specific challenges and opportunities.
Chapter 7: Agricultural and Rural Development
- Agriculture in developing economies
- Rural development strategies
- Agricultural policy and food security
Chapter 8: Industrialization and Services Sector Development
- Industrialization strategies
- Manufacturing sector development
- Technology, innovation, and industrial policy
- Role of services in economic development
- Financial sector development
- Digital economy and transformation
Chapter 9: Infrastructure, Energy, and Transportation
- Physical infrastructure needs
- Energy sector development
- Transportation and communication in development
This section introduces advanced empirical methods in development economics and examines successful development stories from around the world.
Chapter 10: Empirical Methods in Development Economics
- Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) in development
- Impact evaluation techniques
- Statistical techniques for policy evaluation
- Hands-on applications with real data
Chapter 11: Development Success Stories and Lessons
- China's economic transformation
- Japan and the Asian Tigers
- Development lessons from the USA, EU, and BRICS
- India's growth story
This section addresses current and emerging challenges facing developing countries, including sustainability, urbanization, and technological change.
Chapter 12: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
- Climate change and development
- Green growth strategies
- Environmental policy frameworks
Chapter 13: Urbanization and Development
- Urban growth challenges
- Urban planning and management
- Rural-urban linkages
Chapter 14: Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation
- Global development trends and forecasts
- Emerging development paradigms
- Innovation in development policy
- Challenges and opportunities in the digital age
- Digital transformation in development
- Innovation systems and technology policy
- The role of AI and big data in development
Chapter 15: Crisis Management, Resilience, and Sustainable Development Goals
- Crisis response and economic resilience
- The role of social safety nets
- Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Chapter 16: The Future of Development Economics
- Case studies from diverse developing countries
- Data analysis exercises using real-world data
- Policy analysis frameworks
- End-of-chapter problems and discussion questions
- Contemporary development debates
- Research methodology guides
- Online resources and data links
- Advanced students in development studies and economics
- Development practitioners and policymakers
- Researchers in development economics
Editorial Team
Dr. Joseph Phiri
Head of Macroeconomics Unit, Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR), and Academician at the University of Zambia’s Graduate School of Business
Associate Prof. Neema Kumburu
Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration at the Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU), Tanzania
Prof. Evans Osabuohien
Professor of Economics at Covenant University and Founding Chair of DIaDeRC
About the Editors
Dr. Joseph Phiri is a distinguished economist, consultant, researcher, educator, and analyst with a deep commitment to advising policymakers and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. As a Development Economist, he holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Management in the field of Sector Economics and the Economics of Enterprise from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. He did his Masters of Arts Economics in Development Economics and Economic Growth at Marmara University and his first Degree in Economics at the University of Namibia. His career has been shaped by a passion for addressing the paradox of plenty, a phenomenon where resource-rich low-income economies struggle to translate their wealth into sustainable economic growth. This challenge has been central to his research and professional endeavours in development economics and economic policy.
With over a decade of experience spanning academia, finance, research, and consultancy across eight countries and four continents, Dr. Phiri has established himself as a leading expert in economic sustainability, environmental impact, energy, agriculture, macroeconomics, public economics, and governance structures in African economies. His tenure as Lecturer and Research Unit Coordinator at the University of Lusaka’s School of Postgraduate Studies saw him teaching courses such as Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Applied Econometrics, International Political Economy, Development Economics, and Managerial Economics. Beyond academia, he has played a critical role in shaping economic policy by advising policymakers on data-driven, evidence-based solutions to pressing economic challenges. As a prolific researcher, Dr. Phiri has led significant studies and secured research grants addressing key economic issues. His work is widely recognised , with publications appearing in top-tier journals indexed in SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. His research has made substantial contributions to the understanding of economic development, sustainability, and macroeconomic policy, earning him an H-index of over 10 within five years, with hundreds of citations reflecting the impact of his work.
In addition to his research, Dr. Phiri is deeply committed to mentoring and supervising postgraduate students, guiding them through complex economic research topics and preparing them for careers in academia, policymaking, and industry. He firmly believes in the transformative power of education to equip individuals with the skills needed to drive meaningful economic and social change. His consulting expertise extends to international organisations, governments, and businesses, where he applies his economic acumen to develop practical, high-impact solutions that foster economic growth and resilience. His work has had a tangible influence on economic policymaking and implementation, reinforcing his reputation as a sought-after expert in Zambia and across the African continent. Dr. Phiri’s academic and research experience spans renowned institutions, including the University of Namibia, Covenant University, Marmara University, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, and the University of the People. He has also gained corporate and professional experience from AB Bank, Turkish Airlines, MSD, and ExxonMobil, further enriching his understanding of economic systems from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Currently, he serves as an Advisor to the Zambian Government through the Zambia Institute of Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ZIPAR), where he leads the Macroeconomics Research Unit as a Research Fellow I. Additionally, he contributes to the academic community as an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE, specialising in Economics.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Phiri is passionate about writing, a drive that has led him to co-author a Development Economics textbook. His hobbies include soccer, performing arts, music, and travelling
Neema Kumburu is an Associate Professor at the Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU), working under the Department of Management, specialising in Administration and Policy. She holds a PhD in Business Management from the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania, and a Bachelor of Public Administration, specialising in Public Service Management, as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, specialising in Human Resource Management, from Mzumbe University, Morogoro, Tanzania. She was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Fredskorpset [FK] Business Experience Exchange Programme (BEEP), Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, from February to December 2007, and a visiting lecturer for the SWAN Project at University of Applied Sciences in Finland in 2014. She was also a visiting lecturer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda in 2022 and undertook postdoctoral research at the University of Helsinki in 2023–2024.
Her research interests include leadership, governance, public sector reforms, human resource management, strategic management, rural development, rural land reform, rural livelihoods and cooperatives, farmers' organisations, entrepreneurship, and organisational development.
Prof. Kumburu has experience in training for short, long, and tailor-made programmes. She also has expertise in strategic planning and curriculum development, including the Master of Business Management and Human Resource Management curricula. Some of her current research projects include: Building Socio-Hydrological Resilience for Inclusion: The Experience of Co-operatives in Tanzania, Disaster Economic Vulnerability and Recovery Programmes: Experience from Tanzania, Women Roadside Vegetable Selling in Kilimanjaro: The Relationship Between Demography, Income Generation, and Employment Creation, Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Economies: A Case Study of Growth-Oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Moshi, Tanzania, Does Social Feminism and the Dynamic Capability Perspective Explain Attributes of Growth-Oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Moshi Municipality?, Agency Theory and the Performance of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS) in Kilimanjaro Region, and Co-operatives as a Tool for Poverty Reduction and Business Promotion in Tanzania. Some of her other research projects include: Do Personal Values Influence Research Self-Efficacy Among Academics in Public Universities in Tanzania? She was also engaged in the Sustainable Business and Employability through HEIs’ Innovative Pedagogy project, supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. In this capacity, she successfully developed gender and special needs policies to address existing imbalances by considering the different needs of both males and females and ensuring appropriate opportunities for people with special needs, thereby creating an environment that enables their full participation in academic life. She was also involved in the evaluation of the Confidence and Competence Project in Meru District, Arusha Region, as well as in the evaluation of the Promoting the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Cocoa, Coffee, and Palm Oil Value Chains (CCP) project in Tanzania. Prof. Kumburu has published more than thirty (30) papers in internationally recognised, peer-reviewed journals. She served as Coordinator of the Centre for Co-operative Entrepreneurship and Innovation for three years, Head of the Department of Management for ten years, Deputy Faculty Dean for three years, Acting Dean for two years, and Director of the Bureau of Consultancy Services.
Prof. Kumburu has experience in training for short, long, and tailor-made programmes. She also has expertise in strategic planning and curriculum development, including the Master of Business Management and Human Resource Management curricula. Some of her current research projects include: Building Socio-Hydrological Resilience for Inclusion: The Experience of Co-operatives in Tanzania, Disaster Economic Vulnerability and Recovery Programmes: Experience from Tanzania, Women Roadside Vegetable Selling in Kilimanjaro: The Relationship Between Demography, Income Generation, and Employment Creation, Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Economies: A Case Study of Growth-Oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Moshi, Tanzania, Does Social Feminism and the Dynamic Capability Perspective Explain Attributes of Growth-Oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Moshi Municipality?, Agency Theory and the Performance of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS) in Kilimanjaro Region, and Co-operatives as a Tool for Poverty Reduction and Business Promotion in Tanzania. Some of her other research projects include: Do Personal Values Influence Research Self-Efficacy Among Academics in Public Universities in Tanzania? She was also engaged in the Sustainable Business and Employability through HEIs’ Innovative Pedagogy project, supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. In this capacity, she successfully developed gender and special needs policies to address existing imbalances by considering the different needs of both males and females and ensuring appropriate opportunities for people with special needs, thereby creating an environment that enables their full participation in academic life. She was also involved in the evaluation of the Confidence and Competence Project in Meru District, Arusha Region, as well as in the evaluation of the Promoting the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Cocoa, Coffee, and Palm Oil Value Chains (CCP) project in Tanzania. Prof. Kumburu has published more than thirty (30) papers in internationally recognised, peer-reviewed journals. She served as Coordinator of the Centre for Co-operative Entrepreneurship and Innovation for three years, Head of the Department of Management for ten years, Deputy Faculty Dean for three years, Acting Dean for two years, and Director of the Bureau of Consultancy Services.
Prof Evans Osabuohien is a Professor of Economics at Covenant University, Ota and Founding Chair of DIaDeRC (DePECOS Institutions and Development Research Centre), Nigeria. He has over two decades of experience and has executed numerous funded projects as an individual and team lead. He is astute in research, resulting in the publication of five books and over 212 scholarly articles. He has participated in conferences/workshops/short courses across the world. He has consulted on many projects for international agencies such as the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), United Nations Agencies (e.g., UNCTAD & UNU-WIDER), African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Council for the Development of Social Research in Africa (CODESRIA), German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), among others. He was appointed the Head of Department (HOD) in 2016, emerging as the Youngest HOD in the University. He received a double promotion to the rank of full professor of economics in December 2017, making him the youngest professor at the university . In May 2020, he was recognised as ‘One of the 6 Youngest Professors in Nigeria’. He was the Founding Chair of the Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR, 2018-2021) and the Founding Chair of the Regional Centre of Expertise, Ogun State (RCE Ogun, 2018-2021). He is a member of many International Learned Societies/Professional Associations.
He is a Visiting Professor at Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique (2020-Date) and the University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia (2023-Date). He was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (June- December 2020) and an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) Visiting Professor at Witten/Herdecke University, Germany (2018-2023). Also, he is an external examiner to many universities within and outside Africa. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of companies such as: Covenant Microfinance Bank Ltd (2018-Date); Canadian Centre for Raw Materials Display Inc (CaCeRMDI), Canada (2021-2024); Seasoned Researchers and Business Advisors Ltd (2021-Date); and OpenBinacle Group (Multinational Technology Company, Bonn, 2022-Date). He is the Founding Chair and Lead Economist at DePECOS Institutions and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC, 2023-Date), where he coordinates the African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN) with over 1,000 members across many African countries and beyond. He is one of the Global Authors for Global Environmental Outlook 7th Edition (GEO-7), the flagship report of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). He is a Council member of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES, founded 1957), where he serves as an Associate Editor and 2024 Conference Editor. He served as an Associate Editor for Elsevier (Heliyon-Economics, 2022-2024) and Managing Editor for Springer Nature Group (Sustainable Development,2023-Date). He is a fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (since 2012) and the Swedish Institute (since 2009), among many others. He is married with children.