Transforming Markets in African Economies: Rwanda and Ghana 2025
Course Description
Rwanda and Ghana are fascinatingly vibrant countries where the contrasts of wealth and poverty; historical legacy and cultural resilience; continue to shape business and society. Why do some countries grow and others decline? What regional factors differentiate the economic performance of East and West African countries? What innovations are entrepreneurs creating in the midst of constraints? Travel to Africa requires emerging business leaders to assess their preconceptions of markets, the role of international companies in local context, and what innovations have the potential to scale to unlock economic growth and poverty reduction.
In preparing for your trip and experiencing Rwanda and Ghana firsthand, we will explore the following questions during our trip:
- What are the historical legacies of colonialism on institutions, infrastructure, and international supply chains?
- How have countries navigated relationships with international partners including Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and other African countries?
- What are the opportunities and constraints for economic and private sector development?
- What innovations are scaling? Who are leading and financing the innovation ecosystem?
- How are international companies managing the “double bottom line” and sustainability concerns in Rwanda and Ghana?
Faculty Bio
Andrew Dillon is a development economist whose research focuses on how improving productivity increases welfare in LMIC countries and the methods and measures that establish these causal relationships. His current research focuses on market organization in developing countries and productivity-enhancing investments that households may make in health and nutrition, new agricultural technologies, and education. Ongoing projects are currently being implemented with government, private sector firms, and NGOs in Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria.