 European colonialism and it’s aftermath has left most of today’s independent African nations with economic, health, educational, and political problems.  Compounding these problems is Africa’s challenging geography.

 Africa’s history of colonization has had long-term effects on its economy.  Barriers to African economic development include illiteracy, foreign debt, and a lack of manufacturing industries.

 European colonizers exploited Africa’s resources, people  European colonies were set up only to benefit Europe.  Land was mined, drilled; environment was ignored

 Most countries do little manufacturing  sell raw materials to industrialized countries  All this has limited Africa’s economic growth, political stability  In fact, most African countries are worse off today than in 1960  average incomes have decreased

 African countries lack crucial infrastructure such as roads, airports, railroads, ports.  Many people have little access computers or high technology

 Newly independent countries borrowed money to build economies  total Africa debt of governments was $295 billion by 2002  many Western leaders push to forgive Africa’s debts

 “One-commodity” countries rely on export of one or two commodities  commodity —agricultural or mining product that can be sold  value varies daily based on worldwide supply and demand  this makes “one-commodity” nations’ economies unstable  Economists want Africans to diversify — create variety in economies

 Uneducated populace is a large barrier to economic development  Average schooling time for women up only 1.2 years in last 40 years  In Angola and Somalia, civil wars have destroyed school systems  But in Algeria, 94% get a formal education  83% of Mauritians over 15 are literate

 Many of Africa’s best and brightest end up migrating to western nations.  Many urge them to return and help out their nations.

 Epidemic diseases are killing Africa’s people in huge numbers.  African nations and countries around the world are using a variety of methods, including education, to eradicate disease.

 Cholera —sometimes fatal infection  spread by poor sanitation, lack of clean water  Malaria —often-fatal infectious disease marked by chills, fever  carried by mosquitoes; resistant to drugs due to overuse  Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)—caused by HIV virus  70% of adult, 80% of child AIDS cases are in Africa  often paired with tuberculosis—infectious respiratory infection

 3 million died from AIDS worldwide in million lived in sub- Saharan Africa  In Swaziland, 3 of 4 deaths were from AIDS  life expectancy has fallen from 58 years to 39  In 2000, 26 million people in Africa had HIV or AIDS

 Many countries are trying to fight disease epidemics in their countries  Educating the masses on the problems  Outside agencies have funded immunization and treatment  In some areas this has helped, but the struggle continues.

 European control begins to fade in 20th century  most countries gain independence in 1960s  Despite leaving, there is long-term damage to cultural and ethnic boundaries, economy

 Colonial boundaries included rival ethnic groups in the same country.  Colonial governments increased the rivalries by favoring one group or pitting them against each other.  Colonial governments were often run with high levels of corruption.  After independence, many nations struggled with ethnic conflict and corruption.

 Early 19th century Africa was home to great empires, rich cultures  By the end of the 19th century—poverty and violence  Many of Africa’s problems stem from European colonialism

 Portuguese establish coastal trading stations in the 1400s  By mid-1800s, Europeans seek Africa’s rich natural resources  need raw materials for industrial economies, markets to sell goods  Berlin Conference ( ) sets rules for dividing up Africa