I have found (this syndrome)to be as substantial a bottleneck to development in Africa as inadequate infrastructure or bad governance and it has added an extra weight to the work of those who want to enable individuals and communities to better their circumstances. This Policy Guidance Note considers the causal relationship between empowerment and pro-poor growth. It identifies eight domains of empowerment within three spheres: the economic (markets, decent employment and productive assets), the political (political representation and collective action), and the social (human capabilities, critical awareness and inclusion) and describes what donors can do to support and strengthen empowerment in those domains. Suggestions for how donors should workfor optimal effect include key messages for development co-operation.