In 1985, the government of The Gambia introduced the Economic Recovery Program, one of the most sweeping reform programs attempted in sub-Saharan Africa. HIID was privileged to work with the government on this reform process, under the auspices of the USAID-funded Economic and Financial Policy Analyses Project.

This volume examines a wide range of policy and institutional changes that were part of the reform program, including exchange rates, taxation, foreign debt, agriculture, state-owned enterprises, and customs inspection. In each case, the authors review the problems that the government faced, the steps taken to address these problems, and the success or failure of the reform initiatives.

These economic and institutional analyses are complemented by an examination of the politics of reform in The Gambia and the role of donor agencies in the reform process. The final chapter summarizes the most important lessons from The Gambia's experience, and draws insights for other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.