Today’s Issues: Africa Chapter 20

Economic Development Most African nations have little manufacturing of their own. Their economies are based on providing raw materials—oil, minerals, or agricultural products—to the world’s industrialized countries. A history of problems: Exploitation by European colonizers. Millions of Africans sold into slavery Many died in harsh working conditions Little concerns for the environment It has limited economic growth Political instability

Today, most African countries are worse off economically than they were in the 1960s. Africa’s economic status: Average income have decrease compare to worlds incomes Africa account for only 1 percent of total world GNP. 1.5 percent of total dollar value of world exports Both small numbers when you compare them to its population and resources. Infrastructure is needed Low or no technology

Reducing Debt Despite this legacy of exploitation, African nations are struggling to build economics based on the careful use of natural and human resources. European powers did not invest (transportation, education, businesses) in Africa. By 1997, total debt of sub-Saharan Govt.—227 billion dollars. Western leaders urged to forgive loans. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Southern African Development Community (SADC) Both striving to promote trade. Examples: removing tax duties and creating a common currency.

Building Industries The economy of many African nations is based on the export of raw materials. Many African’s countries rely on only one or two principal commodities. They are called “one-commodity” countries. A commodity is an agriculture or mining product that can be sold. It makes them unstable, because they only depend on that one commodity. They need to diversify, by promoting manufacturing.

Education Workers A key to developing Africa’s economics is improving its education system to provide people with a high level of skills. Large barrier to economic development is an unschooled population. Education for women has only increase about 1.2 years in the last 40 yrs. Civil war have destroyed school systems. Algeria and Mauritius are success stories: 94% and 83%.

Disease and Despair Controlling AIDS and other diseases is essential if Africans are to improve their quality of life and live a normal lifespan. Inadequate sanitation and lack of a clean water supply can lead to cholera. Mosquitos carrying malaria. AIDS and HIV create the most severe problems.

AIDS Stalks the Continent In 2000, AIDS took the lives of 3 millions people world wide, of those 2.4 lived in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has reduce the life expectancy drop from 58 to 39 years. In 2000, 26 million people were living with either HIV or AIDS. People who are sick, work less, earn less and are push into poverty. UNAIDS, a UN program that studies AIDS epidemic predicts that 4.63 billions are needed to fight AIDS.

Nation response: Spraying programs Global Fund for Children’s Vaccines pledge 250 million Improving their health care systems. Strategies against AIDS: Team up with Brazil to work together on AIDS prevention and care. Success Stories: Uganda and Senegal, have had success in reducing the spread of HIV. Same day HIV tests and education programs.

European in Africa Portuguese ships, looking for trade routes to Asia, landed in Africa. Mid-1800s Europeans knew of Africa rich natural resources. Wanted them to fuel their own industrial economies and establish markets to sell and trade their goods. Berlin Conference set up the rules to divide Africa. Most Africans countries gain their independence by the 1960s. European did long-term damage to Africa: affecting its cultural & ethnic boundaries; and its economy.

Challenges of Independence When European powers left, they did not leave stable governments. For 40 yrs. they suffers through dictatorships and civil wars. European power did not understand the incredible ethnic diversity. Many groups living in the same country are historical enemies. Difficulty getting different ethnic groups to cooperate in building stable democracies. Many have never experience democratic government.

Cause for hope Establishing a democratic tradition is a primary goal. Political stability for peace and prosperity. 1994, in South Africa, whites finally yielded power to the black majority. In 2001, Ghana swore in a new president in a peaceful transfer of power.