Since independence, the elusive goal of ‘development’ has been central to the agenda of African nations. This chapter is critical of persistent ‘crisis’ narratives; nonetheless, it recognizes that many parts of Africa face complex challenges. It argues that three aspects are crucial for understanding the ways in which the role and potentials for heritage may be particularly relevant for Africa: the socioeconomic and political pressures, the legacy of colonialism, and the roles of traditional connections with heritage. From these emerge a need to better understand and plan for the role of heritage in sustainable development and to find ways to ensure it may remain a meaningful presence in the lives of various communities. The chapter suggests that African nations will have to address the question of how to domesticate both the concepts of ‘sustainable development’ and ‘heritage’ to make them appropriate for the needs of the continent and its constituent parts.