This work investigates the long-term economic development of the African continent from prehistoric eras through the onset of European colonial partition. Peter L. Wickins, an established scholar in economic history, synthesizes archaeological, anthropological, and historical data to construct a comprehensive overview of trade, agriculture, and social organization. The text argues that African economic systems were dynamic and complex long before external intervention, providing a framework for understanding the continent's internal development trajectories.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational survey for students of African economic history. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous reference point for understanding the continent's historical economic landscape.