Beyond Western-Centric and Eurocentric Development: A Case for Decolonizing Development

Abstract

This article focuses on the analysis of the development discourse from the viewpoint of critical decolonial perspective informed by the work of scholars such as Walter Mignolo that privileges ‘border thinking’ and is predicated on the notions of ‘I think from where I stand’. Its proposition is that there is a need for decolonization and ‘Africanization’ of the development discourse to reflect the core needs of the African peoples, particularly the poor. The paper starts off with a critique of mainstream development discourse and also proceeds to make a case for a new African development discourse that takes into account African historical experiences and indigenous African thought. This new African development discourse will put the African people first and be constructed from their core values, needs and demands.