Since the turn of the century, sub-Saharan African countries have consistently registered economic growth rates that have led the rest of the world to take greater interest in these economies. It is widely acknowledged that economic development is principally driven by sound policies, systems, strong institutions that are properly governed, human capital that believes in the cause being pursued and responsive government. Africa is indeed changing, with concerted multi-layer efforts being made to leap frog the economies into middle income status. These efforts need to be coordinated more effectively, accelerated, scaled up and replicated. This course examines the economic transformation models that singapore, malaysia and south korea have used; interrogates the european and american economic development models and concludes by offering insights on the emerging african economic development model.