Recent debates have focused on the relative merits of state-led versus market-oriented development strategies in Africa. Yet, neither the state nor the market can accomplish anything independently of the calibre and distinctive trajectory of the indigenous entrepreneur class. This book studies this key dimension of African development, looking at the variations in the technical and political capacities of Africa's diverse capitalist classes. The authors discuss the specific functions that indigenous capitalists must perform to initiate and sustain a successful process of capital accumulation. Combining case studies based on recent fieldwork in East, West and Central Africa with theoretical and comparative discussions, they point the way to a new research agenda in this field.