The focus of this paper is on 'Black Africa', particularly on the net oil importers of the region - the worst affected by the recent ecomomic crisis. The paper notes that whilst the Lagos Plan recognises the importance of fair crop prices, many OAU (Organisation of African Unity) members are reluctant to increase crop prices - especially by devaluation. The paper argues that although increased aid could smooth out such changes for the poor, the World Bank's call for a doubling of aid is unlikely to be met during the current Western recession.