There is no better way of helping new nations of Latin America, Africa and Asia in their present pursuit of freedom and better living conditions than by assisting them to develop their human resources through education” -- President Kennedy to the Board of Foreign Scholarships at the White House, February 27, 1961.

Among problems shared by most people of Africa are those resulting from an insufficiency of qualified technicians, teachers, doctors, engineers, agricultural experts, economists and public administrators. In many cases they must rely on foreign experts to perform essential services until Africans themselves are trained these modern skills. While conditions vary from country to country, most African nations are unable to fill their basic educational needs. Demand for educational opportunity has swept the continent and increasing numbers of young Africans are asking for the opportunity to study in this country.

The Eighth National Conference of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO was held in Boston, October 22-26, 1961 , in cooperation with Boston University. The theme of the conference was “Africa and the United States: Images and Realities.” The conference was attended by over two thousand persons. More than sixty Africans took part, many of whom are prominent in political, educational, or cultural affairs in their home countries. This was probably the largest conference on Africa ever held in the United States, and its participants represented an unusually broad range of interests. Included were educators, journalists, social scientists, technical experts, industrialists, foundation representatives, librarians, artists, writers, government officials, and well-informed layment. The range and scholarliness of the papers presented indicated that there is a growing body of persons in the United States who have had personal contact with African affairs, and also that the United States is beginning to come of age in its understanding of the African continent, not only in the social sciences but in the arts, in the communications field, and in science and technology as well as in other areas.

The Third Conference on African History and Archaeology, sponsored by the School of Oriental and African Studies of London University on July 3-7, 1961, followed in the series of four-yearly meetings begun in 1953 and continued in 1957. It was already abundantly clear in 1957 that African history had come into its own as a recognized field of study. The Journal of African History, now in its second year and preparing to expand from two to three annual issues, was an outcome of the second conference. It marked the coming-of-age.

Social science research scholars specializing on Africa know the outstanding studies done on the problems, peoples, areas, and governments in Africa, even when outside their own discipline. However, few except economists are familiar with the statistical material published by governments in Africa. Yet this material extensive and can provide information and insights which will repay mining.

This is an introduction to such material for the areas in Africa south of the Sahara which have been, or are, under British control. It is intended for non-ecnomists, or for economists approaching Africa for the first time.