The stipulated goal of Official Development Assistance (ODA) is to promote economic development and welfare in the recipient countries, which are usually developing countries. However, as Africa is concerned, ODA has always been controversial. From its perception as an instrument through which industrialized countries seek to dominate poor countries to its outright ineffectiveness, several questions arise when approached. These include: What is the state of ODA in Africa? What are the challenges that ODA is currently facing in Africa? Is ODA effective? In other words, does ODA really reach its goal, which is economic growth in recipient countries and welfare improvement? Is ODA a vicious or virtuous circle for Africa? Are there sustainable alternatives to ODA?

The purpose of this special issue is to answer these questions and beyond, other relevant questions that are not reported here. Through both theoretical and empirical papers, it will provide new insights on the reasons, the processes, the practices and implications of ODA to Africa.

The issue will be of interest for academics, policy makers, African citizens, and by extension, the whole community.