"Every year, we welcome the African Economic Outlook (AEO) for its rigorous and objective analysis of the continent's prospects. This year's edition will be especially valuable as everyone wants to know how Africa will emerge from the global economic crisis. Since under almost any scenario Africa will face a financing gap, the special study on public resource mobilisation and aid is particularly timely." Mr. Shanta Devarajan, Chief Economist, Africa Region, World Bank "The African Economic Outlook is widely recognised to be an invaluable resource for economic and financial research on the region due to its unique combination of reliable and timely data with a realistic appraisal of future trends. The policy focus of the 2010 edition is particularly useful in the light of current international and regional discussions on both tax co-operation and aid architecture. This joint initiative between the OECD, ADB and UN sets the benchmark for other intergovernmental agencies." Mr. Valpy FitzGerald, Professor, Oxford Department of International Development "I am happy to say that the African Economic Outlook is one of the key references on the progress and development challenges facing Africa. The field of taxation has long been a difficult challenge in view of ineffective tax systems in many African countries. This comes at a time when Africa has to mobilise its domestic resources to finance development. Meanwhile, Egypt has undertaken a thorough reform of its tax structure and administration, with positive results in terms of increased revenue and greater equality in sharing tax burden." H.E. Mrs. Fayza Aboulnaga, Egyptian Minister of International Co-operation "As one of the few resources that offers such comprehensive, measurable and strategic findings, both at a country and regional level, the AEO has provided Microsoft valuable insight to broaden engagement with local stakeholders as well as international organizations. The AEO gives us tools necessary to continue developing long-term public private partnerships that are vital in solving the major challenges of the continent today." Dr. Cheick Diarra, Chairman for Africa, Microsoft Corporation