Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

The purpose of this paper is to sketch in with a broad sweep the leading features of social and economic progress and policies in East Africa in the last decade. The paper begins with an analysis of the socio-economic structure of East African countries during the colonial period, stressing the structure of the economies, the racial stratification of the economy and the society, the main features of development policies, and regional economic cooperation. Major changes in the post-independence period are discusscd against the background of colonial heritage. The discussion focusses on the various efforts made to accelerate Africanisation in both the public and private sectors of the East African economies. This is followed by an analysis of economic growth in the post-independence period, including a discussion of economic change and diversification, both internally and with respect to foreign trade, aid and investment. There is then a discussion of the changing strategies and development policies in the three countries in the first decade of independence. After a description of the evolution of East African economic unity, the concluding section of the paper takes a look at the priorities for the seventies; the need for rapid economic growth accompanied by an equitable distribution of the fruits of growth. The outlines of a strategy designed to achieve these objectives are spelled out.