The ADR 2002, is the fourteenth annual survey of economic and social progress in Africa. Published for the sixth consecutive year by OUP, the Report provides comprehensive analysis of the state of the African economy, examining development policy issues affecting the economic prospects of the continent. The Report's theme this year - Rural Development and Poverty Reduction in Africa - reflects the emerging consensus that poverty reduction in Africa should be placed at the heart of development processes and be guided by new strategies that address the causes of poverty directly and effectively. The Report addresses a range of key issues relating to this theme, including: * The status of rural poverty, which highlights the determinants, the incidence and the dynamics of both income and non-income poverty. * Macroeconomic and structural policy mixes and the transmission mechanisms that create the right synergies for addressing all forms of poverty. * The formulation of pro-poor macroeconomic policies and strategies relating to national budgets that favour human capital development namely * An integrated rural development approach which aims at reducing poverty by broadening the opportunities for employment and income generation in rural areas * Role of ADB in fostering broad based economic growth and promoting an integrated rural development strategy. The African Development Bank is a multilateral development finance institution whose membership comprises all African countries and 25 from Asia, Europe, North and South America. As Africa's premier development finance institution, the ADB is uniquely placed to provide comprehensive analysis of economic developments and policy concerns in the region. As such, the ADR is set to become the standard reference for economists and policy makers interested in African development for many years to come.