Since graduating with a master’s degree in economic studies, Damian Ondo Mañe has worked to study economics and social issues in the Gulf of Guinea, as well as to educate others on the region’s emerging, and evolving, role in the international scene. Damian Ondo Mañe uses his insightful knowledge of the region and his extensive experience gained as a former Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, an official of the Bank for Central African States, and an influential part Central African Economic and Monetary Union to enlighten readers with some of the unique economic challenges and possibilities of the Gulf of Guinea.

As the author frankly states, “Natural resources and changes in geopolitical parameters remain the main advantages of the region. Its enormous potential, however, can be challenged by the ongoing demographic changes, ill-comprehended policy choices, and weak institutions.” Despite these challenges, Damian Ondo Mañe remains optimistic, even inspiring. His call for developing nations to “broaden and strengthen their participation in international economic decision-making” is vital.

For a book that covers a broad range of diverse issues, Oil and the Emergence of the Gulf of Guinea is a surprisingly readable volume. For those just delving into the topic, Damian Ondo Mañe provides examples and breakdowns of some of the more complex subjects, yet there are enough solid data and thorough research to satisfy more seasoned economists. Damian Ondo Mañe dives into the history of the Gulf of Guinea and is not shy about exploring nearly every aspect of the region’s emerging involvement on the oil scene. Geographic and environmental considerations, price volatility and the need for diversification, the “oil curse,” and even political instability are all explored with careful, thorough examination.

Above all, Damian Ondo Mañe emphasizes the importance of macroeconomic stability and diversification for countries in this region, in particular the need for fair and transparent economic reform. Convincing foreign direct investors to put their confidence in the development of the Gulf of Guinea’s remains to be a major hurdle, but as the author explains, the ability of the international community to join in the development countries in the region at this critical time is a tremendous opportunity, as well.

As Abdoulaye Bio-Tchané, former Director of the African Department of the IMF, concludes in his foreword to Oil and the Emergence of the Gulf of Guinea, this book goes beyond the scope of just the development of oil production in these countries. The heavy human cost that a sudden influx of money can have when booming new oil revenues unfortunately do not make their way to the most needy of citizens is obviously never far from the author’s mind. The role of the international community, therefore, is critical to avoiding the “oil curse.” Overall, Damian Ondo Mañe’s emphasis on the effects that developments in the region will ultimately have on the people of the Gulf of Guinea sets this book apart from others of its kind, making it an essential part of any official or researcher’s collection.