The concept of LED is well established in Europe and North America as well as in Latin America (e.g. Brazil and Chile) and in parts of S E Asia (e.g. the Philippines). The concept of decentralised planning, usually based around local government, is not in general well established in Africa (with the exception of Uganda, South Africa and Tanzania). In sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa is actively looking at how an understanding of LED can contribute to building local economies and an LED component is a requirement of developing municipal and provincial Integrated Development Plans. However these local level initiatives often have a limited understanding of economic development built into them and tend to be stronger on infrastructure, social infrastructure and services, environmental services and local revenue collection. It is essential to take a broader perspective on planning and support if sustainable economic development built on local economic advantage and opportunity is to be achieved and returns on other sectoral investments maximised.