Why is the African continent still mired in poverty? According to Ghanaian‐​born economist George Ayittey, the answer lies in the lack of economic freedom. Africans, who were denied their freedoms first by foreign powers and now by indigenous leaders, deserve better. That is why Ayittey proposes a bold program for African development. He investigates the ways in which Africa can modernize, build, and improve on its indigenous institutions. As he explains, Africa needs to abandon exploitative economic structures that are alien to the continent and embrace its ancient tradition of free trade. Please join us for a discussion of a new way of looking at economic development in Africa.