The article evaluates the concept of ‘developmental’ policies through a comparison between post-communist Russia and Sub-Saharan African states. Asian policies have been developmental because of successful industrial policies and leaders’ ability to implement them. The comparison shows that while these features have been absent in Sub-Saharan Africa, notably due to the trapping effects of commodity dependence, Russia exhibits an original dualistic model where the negative impact of commodity dependence (such as the creation of rents) is compatible with developmental industrial policies. It demonstrates the importance of constraints that stem from both economic and political structures, which explain variations in developmental policy effectiveness.