The economic crisis which has hit Africa in the past decade is raising questions about Africa's future position in World Trade and whether it has any chance of devloping a competitive industrial structure. Presenting studies of fifty-five exporting manufacturers in six African countries, this edited collection examines the question of why some firms in the Sub-Saharan economies have been able to develop export trade, despite generally unfavourable circumstances. In particular the papers seek to understand how these firms have been able to sustain their competitiveness in the face of rapid technological change in the international economy in the context of the threats and promises such change presents to Africa. A case is made for selective complementary investments by governments to build the technological capabilities which are necessary for attianing and maintaining competitiveness. The papers present new empirical research and an innovative conceptual framework which will be of interest to academics in the development field and to government and international policy makers.