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African countries and by extension developing counties have had and continue to experience serious challenges in its public administration which constrains the pursuit of prosperity in the continent and its people. Indeed, these challenges have often been considered by various individual scholars, local and international organizations to be institutionally harmful as they continue to bedevil the modest efforts towards social, political and economic development of individual countries and the continent at large. While opportunities exist for undoing the factors that appear to aggravate the phenomenon, informed analysis is needed to avoid the countries to hastily conceive and poorly execute blanket solutions. This article contributes to that effect by examining historical perspectives and recent developments that shape public administration in Africa today. The article concludes that sensitivity to pressing human needs and dignity, integrity and ethical governance, as well as political awareness and trust in good governance are essential towards facing the challenges of public administration in the 21st century.