The truth is that statistics such as GDP and income per capital, when analysed in isolation do not reflect the actual economic well-being of the citizens of a nation. Rather indicators such as easy and affordable access to basic needs in form of food, shelter, electricity, water, education, transportation, health etc. are better indicators of economic well being. As the level of poverty increases in a nation, access to basic social and physiological needs decreases proportionately. It does not matter whether basic amenities exist or not. In some African economies, some basic amenities are available but unaffordable by the greater majority of the people whereas in some other economies they are unavailable.
Access involves availability and affordability.
Since all statistics conducted so far indicate that the level of poverty in Africa today is higher than it was in 1980, it follows that access to basic needs has gone down drastically. Obviously the silent majority of Africans are not benefiting from these policies and I don't see how they can ever benefit. The only beneficiaries of such policies are the leaders. By leadership I do not mean political leadership. I mean leadership in all spheres, including economic, social, intellectual etc.