The objective of structural adjustment programs is to establish a market-friendly set of incentives that can encourage the accumulation of capital and more efficient allocation of resources.
Since the 1980s, the policies of the World Bank and IMF with respect to development in African countries has been one of structural adjustment.
It has been recognized, notably by the World Bank, that economic adjustment alone is not sufficient to place countries on a sustained, poverty-reducing growth path, seen as the long-term development challenge. Investment is also required in human capital, infrastructure and institution-building, and better governance.