The Economics of Water and Waste in Three African Capitals

First published in 1997, this volume examines the urban environments of Accra (Ghana), Harare (Zimbabwe) and Gaborone (Botswana). Each was effectively the capital city of a former British colony, and hence inherited a concern for public health. Each has made a serious and largely successful effort to provide the public goods necessary for the well-being of their urban population. Each is well above the average for all of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in these respects. However, the GDP per capita varies significantly between these three countries. Differences in standard of living are similarly evident. The authors focus intensively on public policies that determine who gets what, how they get it, and what price they pay.