This article is the gist of a conference / questions / replies / delivered on December 7, 1996; venue: Infosec, Cotonou, Benin; two days before the opening of the National Conference On The Economic Future Of Benin - December 9 - 16, 1996. On December 9, 1996, Benin' state television evening news' journalist - Mr. Nicaise Miguel- interviewed the author.

It will take us up to several decades - far beyond into the second century of the new millennium - to alleviate prevailing poverty in our countries, create descent living conditions for all, if we do not target double-digit annual economic growth-rate; and manage to sustain it two to three decades running.

I can hear, clear and loud, objections of all kinds streaming into my ears. That's not possible...You are a dreamer...An incurable optimist...

Wait! It is not only possible; it is compulsory to target double-digit growth-rate to quickly bridge the developing gap and integrate African countries into the prosperous circle of developed nations.

We have to undertake a collective brainstorming, explore all ways and means, take all necessary steps, to break up the barrier of 10% annual growth-rate. That's the threshold for the takeoff. Anything below 10% is just survival and stagnation.

Double digit annual economic growth-rate's theory for emerging countries is a well known fact extensively analyzed by Pr. Moses Abramowitz - "Thinking About Growth: Catching Up, Forging Ahead, and Falling Behind" - and confirmed by renowned economists like Jean-Jacques Rosa and Edouard Parker. Let's put it in practice.

This article, a continuation to our previous delivery titled: Strategy for African Countries, is structured into four parts. It adds more arguments to demonstrating why we strongly believe in "The African Renaissance" as here discussed.

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