This book is an economic and philosophical discourse on sustainable economic development inspired by Ujamaa and the philosophy of self-reliance advocated by Julius Nyerere as a policy towards social and economic development. The book explores human empowerment as a means to sustainable economic development. It argues that human empowerment in developing countries can build on Nyerere's approach to development founded on community participation. However, self-reliance is not possible without the ability to build sustainable development and-, self-reliance philosophy and efforts towards development in their current forms have lacked the ability to intensify people's capability. Human empowerment is needed to produce people with vision, who can reflect on situations, initiate relevant and responsible action, and thereby transform situations for the common good. The empowerment I recommend is endowed on education, entrepreneurship and civil societies. Building on Amartya Sen's philosophy of the capability approach to development, empowerment will provide relevant solution for developing countries to break away from economic dependency and the vicious cycle of poverty.