This year's Africa's Progress Report, which focuses on oil, gas and mining. Over the past decade, Africa's economies have been riding the crest of a global commodity wave. Extractive industries have emerged as a powerful engine of economic growth. Surging demand for natural resources in China and emerging markets has pushed export prices to new highs- and the boom shows no sign of abating. Africa's petroleum, gas and mineral resources have become a powerful magnet for foreign investment. With new exploration revealing much larger reserves than were previously known, Africa stands to reap a natural resource windfall. The challenge facing the region's governments is to convert the temporary Windfall into a permanent breakthrough in human development. Effective and equitable stewardship of Africa's natural resource wealth could transform the region. Apart from building manufacturing industries, the development of natural resources could provide the revenues needed for investment in smallholder agriculture, food security, employment, health and education. Governments have a responsibility to harness natural resource wealth.