BENEVOLENT DICTATORSHIP: AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGY FOR AFRICAN STATES

Professor ETIM O. FRANK; Dr. Ebenezer E. Ubeng

doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.034

Title: BENEVOLENT DICTATORSHIP: AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR AFRICAN STATES
Authors: Professor ETIM O. FRANK and Dr. Ebenezer E. Ubeng
Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER) ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume: 11 Issue: 8 Publication Date: August 2026 DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.034
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Professor ETIM O. FRANK1 and Dr. Ebenezer E. Ubeng2 1,2. Dept. of Public Administration, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
MLA 8 FRANK, ETIM O., and Ebenezer E. Ubeng. "BENEVOLENT DICTATORSHIP: AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR AFRICAN STATES." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 11, no. 8, Aug. 2026, pp. 4162-4187, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.034. Accessed Aug. 2026. APA 6 FRANK, E., & Ubeng, E. (2026, August). BENEVOLENT DICTATORSHIP: AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR AFRICAN STATES. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 11(8), 4162-4187. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.034 Chicago FRANK, ETIM O., and Ebenezer E. Ubeng. "BENEVOLENT DICTATORSHIP: AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR AFRICAN STATES." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 11, no. 8 (August 2026), 4162-4187. Accessed August, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.034.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to examined why the most naturally endowed of all continents in the world, in terms of natural resources, should contain the highest number of poor countries in relation to development. We adopted the descriptive approach in the investigation and the ‘explanatory case-study technique for data collection. We purposively studied five (5) countries as control. They were; South Korea under Park Chung Hee; China ruled by Deng Xiaoping, Singapore-Lee Kuan Yew, Chile with Augustos Pinochet, Rwanda-Paul Kagame. The in-depth documentary analysis provided data captured in table 1 which indicated development before and after their leadership. The result of the study, indicated that ‘Advanced Strategic Leadership couched in ‘Benevolent Dictatorship’ which harnessed the natural resources of these countries lifted them to sustained development in which all other leaders after them have build on. These result showed significant comparison to the type of leadership the countries had before Benevolent dictatorship let them to development. This is taking place in Rwanda. The African continent is in need of ‘advanced Strategic leadership wrapped in ‘benevolent dictatorship’ to uplift the continent onto the ladder of development. The submission of this study Africa need a Benevolent Dictator is in consonance with the Swedish IDEA institute findings which indicated that globally people are more inclined to benevolent dictators rather than uphold democratic values which does not generate development effectively. Benevolent dictatorship is the way out for the African continent.

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