SOAS scholars contribute to major new handbook on the South African Economy launched by South ...
8 April 2022
A number of SOAS scholars, including SOAS Director Professor Adam Habib, have contributed to the co-authored, The Oxford Handbook of the South African Economy , which was launched on 6 April 2022 with a keynote address from South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Oxford Handbook of the South African Economy is the first comprehensive handbook of the South African economy bringing together diverse analytical perspectives and arguments that have implications for policy making.
The book details the key economic questions in South Africa, concentrating on the more recent economic challenges facing the country. The book also provides historical and political context and an in-depth examination of strategic issues in the various critical economic sectors of the country.
Key contributions from SOAS scholars include:
- Professor Adam Habib’s co-authored chapter on South Africa’s Post-apartheid Econocmic Development Trajectory (Chapter 5);
- Ciaran Driver, Professor in Financial Economics and Laurence Harris, Professor of Economics both co-authored Chapter 42 on Investment in South Africa;
- Dr Arkebe Oqubay, Professor of Practice and SOAS alumni , is the editor of the book and co-authored Chapter 1 Challenges and Complexities of the South African Economy;
- Christopher Cramer, Professor of the Political Economy of Development , made significant contribution to the handbook throughout the project.
Professor Arkebe Oqubay, a Senior Minister, is one of the co-editors of The Oxford Handbook of the South African Economy , with Professor Fiona Tregenna, and Professor Imraan Valodia.
During the virtual launch event on 6 April 2022, attended online by nearly 1,000 people, President Cyril Ramaphosa said:
“I feel honoured to have been asked to be part of the launch of this book, written by a galaxy of eminent economists and writers. This book analyses the South African economy from both a historic and a futuristic point of view. It will be a useful resource for us as policy makers and many others.”
Dr Arkebe Oqubay also highlighted:
“I hope this Handbook will be valuable for policy makers, academia, students, and the private sector, and will stimulate conversations and productive debates. Despite South Africa’s specific context and peculiarities, The Oxford Handbook of the South African Economy has significant implications for economic transformation and policymaking in Africa. I hope this Handbook will inspire African scholars – from all over the continent - to initiate similar Handbooks and studies of other African countries’ economies.”
Watch the launch event back via YouTube.