Episode 6: The developmental state: from East Asia to Africa

This episode examines whether there are any lessons for Africa to learn from the development experience of East Asia. We want to look at what factors led relatively poor East Asian countries to develop so quickly and even saw them become technological innovators in the space of just a few decades.To make comparisons between these two continents and see how East Asia’s history can apply in Africa, we have brought on an expert in Development Studies and one of Pharo’s own leaders in innovation in East Africa. These are: James Putzel, Professor of Development Studies in the International Development Department at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Bethel Tsegaye, CEO of Pharo Ventures and Country Director of Pharo Foundation Ethiopia.