The Shackled Continent: Power, Corruption, And ... May 2026

In , Robert Guest —former Africa editor for The Economist —delivers a provocative analysis of why Africa has historically struggled with poverty while other regions have prospered. Published by Smithsonian Books and available at Penguin Random House and Barnes & Noble , the book argues that the continent’s primary "shackle" is not its colonial past or lack of aid, but the failures of its own leadership. Core Arguments and Themes

: Guest shares first-hand accounts of African entrepreneurs and individuals who manage to thrive despite crumbling infrastructure and official harassment. The Shackled Continent: Power, Corruption, and ...

The Shackled Continent: Power, Corruption, and African Lives In , Robert Guest —former Africa editor for

: Drawing on the work of Hernando de Soto, Guest argues that the lack of secure property rights is a massive hurdle. Without formal titles to their land and homes, millions of Africans hold "dead capital" that cannot be used as collateral for loans to start or grow businesses. The Shackled Continent: Power, Corruption, and African Lives

: Guest examines how "tribal hucksters" use ethnic loyalties to stay in power, often leading to civil war and zero-sum politics where one group's gain is another's loss. Hope Amid the Hard Truths