Introduction

After independence, there was growing optimism that Sub-Saharan Africa would break free from the shackles of economic stagnation and underdevelopment that had characterized the region for many years. However, the challenges of economic underdevelopment persist, and there are numerous factors that have been invoked to explain Africa’s lagging development. Christian missionaries, as colonial actors, have often been overlooked in attempts to comprehend their influence on the development of post-colonial Africa. These missionaries played a crucial role in introducing and providing Western-style education and healthcare in numerous African countries, which are essential components for both human and economic progress. Among these countries, Zambia stood out as one of the most extensively evangelized by Christian missionaries during the twentieth century. Surprisingly, there has been a lack of comprehensive research that explores the impact of Christian missionaries’ on Zambia’s economic and human development up until now. This chapter serves as an introduction to the key themes addressed in the book.