Leaders and decision makers in Africa and nations of African diaspora must face a number of challenges in their attempts to further development through literacy: (1) reinvent a concept of African development that is a product of the native genius of Africa and that is rooted in the matrix of indigenous cultural values, realities, and possibilities; (2) recommit to the essential role of education, and especially literacy, in African development, and augment this commitment with the political will and material resources needed for a near universally literate Africa; and (3) mobilize intellectuals, administrators, and the common peoples to become social activists working for their own social transformation. An examination of the history of policies instituted in Africa since the 1960s reveals that, although significant progress has been made in such areas as reducing infant mortality, increasing life expectancy, and increasing literacy, economic growth has been slow. Despite the economic problems existing in Africa, policymakers must not forget the value of investing in literacy education. The model adopted for African development must not be based on attempts to "catch up" with the West but must be an "authentic" African model that emphasizes communicative action through oral communication and literacy. (Contains 43 references.) (MN)