the cash crops of sub-saharan africa can be competitive in world markets with sufficient attention to policy reform and marketing principles. country specific strategies must pay attention to international market prospects, national policies, and production and marketing costs. these are findings of the african cash crop competitiveness strategy study conducted under the agricultural policy analysis project ii (apap ii). the study examines competitiveness of traditional export crops in sub-saharan africa through case studies of three important cash crops: cotton, coffee and groundnuts (peanuts). evidence from six countries--cameroon, kenya, the gambia, senegal, tanzania and zimbabwe--is used to evaluate factors influencing competitiveness. factors likely to influence the decisions of african policymakers and the donor agencies seeking to assist them are identified and evaluated. an important objective is to draw lessons from the case studies that can be more broadly applicable in evaluating development strategy options and priorities for donor assistance