The monograph investigates and evaluates UNESCO's role in educational development in Africa. The document is presented in four major sections. Section I clarifies key terms including cooperation (collaboration between two nations or organizations on a project or program), and aid (external financial contributions with or without strings attached). Section II focuses on distribution of educational aid in African nations in response to economic need and educational objectives. Findings indicate that poorer nations do not receive a relatively larger share of international aid than do their richer neighbors. Section III discusses UNESCO's involvement in educational aid and considers UNESCO's perception of educational needs in developing nations. Chapter IV suggests a new approach to international cooperation for educational development. The approach would be based on the assumption that developing nations should be responsible for deciding which problems need to be worked on and selecting the organization or nation from which they want to obtain advice and/or aid. UNESCO's contributions to this approach would include a directory of international educational cooperation, studies of national educational systems, and technical assistance. The document concludes with tables showing enrollment ratios and aid expenditures in 32 African nations and a detailed discussion of educational aid to Zambia and Kenya. (DB)