SAT, 08 OCT, 2022-theGBJournal| The ‘Time-Travelling Economist’, a compelling book written by Global chief economist of Renaissance Capital, Charlie Robertson, is set for launch in four African countries- Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria and hopefully Uganda.
The book will launch in Kenya on Wednesday 19th October at the Sankara hotel from 0730 for breakfast start at about 8am. It will include getting a panel together to discuss the ideas in the book.
Rwanda: Thursday 20th October, probably at the Rwanda Development Board
Uganda: Friday 21st October, hopefully at the Uganda Stock Exchange but the process is still work in progress.
Egypt: 26-27th October, and still looking for a location
Nigeria (Lagos): Either 30th November or 2 December – again, location and precise date to be decided.
Charlie Robertson in the book, challenges traditional assumptions about the development of poor countries, places the challenges faced by countries in Africa and South Asia within historical perspective and provides constructive and practical policy recommendations.
Robertson has gained reputation as the most astute emerging- and frontier market economists of his time, and the book has gained positive reviews and acceptance worldwide.
Arunma Oteh, Chairperson, Royal African Society, and Scholar University of Oxford, said of the book; “This is a hugely refreshing book. It manages to entertain while dealing with a deeply serious set of issues, it escapes many of the ideologies and fashions that weigh down many works of its type, and running through it is a deep curiosity about empirical patterns and their practical implications.”
Reviews
“The book is the product of more than a decade of research and extensive travel across Africa and other developing countries. It is genuinely original contribution to how development can be achieved.” (David Whitehouse, the africa report, theafricareport.com, June 2, 2022) “An important warning for development institutions attempting to blindly copy the blueprints that worked so well in Central Europe to less developed countries.” (Mateusz Szczurek, Poland’s minister of finance 2013-15)
“Charlie Robertson is not only one of the most astute emerging- and frontier market economists of his time, his advice is simple, clear and evidence-based. They draw on a deep well of on-the-ground experience, true curiosity and his ability to ask the right questions. If emerging market policy makers and government leaders ignore tired ideologies and take note of the vital importance of education, electrification and family size, the world will be a better place.” (Hendrik du Toit, Founder and CEO, Ninety One)
“The emphasis on education, and proving how important this is with centuries of data, highlights why so many countries can thrive in the 21st century after fighting the challenge of ignorance in the 20th century. Charlie Robertson has as always uniquely and convincingly showcased the high returns you earn as individuals or society when you invest in excellent education”. (Arunma Oteh, Chairperson, Royal African Society, and Scholar University of Oxford)
“This is a hugely refreshing book. It manages to entertain while dealing with a deeply serious set of issues, it escapes many of the ideologies and fashions that weigh down many works of its type, and running through it is a deep curiosity about empirical patterns and their practical implications.” (Professor Christopher Cramer, Professor of the Political Economy of Development, SOAS, University of London, Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Johannesburg, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS))
“An important and illuminating book that draws out vital themes in central and eastern Europe’s history and Asia’s too, and how a similar focus could help many in south Asia and Africa become high income countries.” (Florin Citu, Romania’s Prime Minister 2020-21)
“Charlie’s first book “The Fastest Billion: The story behind Africa’s Economic Revolution” changed the African narrative. This book with its intriguing focus on three data points for powering economic growth adds a fresh perspective on how to change the continents trajectory.” (Trevor Ncube, Chairman Alpha Media Holdings (Zimbabwe) and Mail and Guardian Media (South Africa))
“interesting new approach to low income development, highlighting why India can boom for decades” (Suresh Prabhu, India’s minister of Civil Aviation (2018-19), Commerce and Industry (2017-19), Railways (2014-17), Power (2000-2002))
“I have listened to and read several presentations by Charles Robertson. It is always amazing how much he captures his audiences’ attention and leaves them in deep thought, thereafter. I am sure he will do exactly the same with this book.” (Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, Nigeria’s Minister of planning (2009-11), Minister of Finance (2007-09), deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (1999-2007))
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