Le développement local en Afrique de l'Ouest : quelle(s) réalité(s) possible(s) ?

Abstract

The paper demonstrates how the principle of local development may interact in low developed countries and more particularly in Western Africa. A first part describes both the elusion of the state, especially in low developed countries, and the spatial dispersal of social and economic forces. Therefore the concepts of governance and territory constitute - in LDC as well - central components of development. They bring the authorities on generating both a vertical coordination among International Organizations, national and regional institutions, local actors and a horizontal cooperation between local organizations. The particular examples of industrial clusters and trade channels make it possible to initiate the matter in the context of Western Africa.