The rise and fall of the 'Soviet Model of Development' in West Africa, 1957-64

Between 1957 and 1964 the Soviet Union tried to export to West Africa a model of economic and social development. Moscow's policy was driven by the conviction that socialism was a superior economic system, and could be replicated in Ghana and Guinea. However, Soviet confidence in the project was undermined by the unreliability of local leaders, and by the Congo crisis. Combining Soviet and Ghanaian sources, this article shows the importance of modernisation in the Third World for Moscow's foreign policy during the Khrushchev era. Moreover, the setback in West Africa taught the Soviet leadership crucial lessons: the importance of supporting ideologically reliable leaders and the necessity of building military strength.