Africa Development: What Can Be Done To Improve The Situation

  The African continent is experiencing a development crisis. Despite a positive outlook for some countries, the majority of African nations continue to struggle with high levels of poverty, war, and disease. These significant challenges have led experts to label this period the “African century” or “Africa comeback”—expressions of hope that the current state of affairs is only a temporary setback. There are many reasons why Africa is in its current state, but most experts agree that infrastructure is one of the main problems preventing growth and prosperity. This article explores the problems plaguing Africa and what can be done to improve the situation.

Poverty and Lack of Economic Opportunity

The first and most significant problem plaguing Africa is poverty. According to the World Bank, around 300 million people in Africa live in poverty. Furthermore, the poverty rate is highest in the sub-Saharan region, where nearly two thirds of the population are living in poverty. Unfortunately, this is not a problem that is only affecting the present. The World Development Report 2019 shows that poverty in Africa has increased since 1990, despite the global trend toward decreasing poverty. This means that economic growth has not been sufficient to reduce poverty. This is a serious issue as lack of economic opportunity is a major driver of migration. With hundreds of millions of people living in poverty, Africa is likely to see an increase in emigration in the coming years. This could have serious negative effects on the continent, increasing the risk of instability and violence and taking away opportunities from those who remain.

Instability and War

The high levels of poverty that persist in Africa are closely linked to the large number of ongoing wars in the region. Approximately 20 countries in Africa are experiencing major conflict, with many also facing significant internal armed violence. This is nothing new, as the continent has faced a significant risk of armed conflict for many years. More recently, experts have argued that Africa is experiencing “a decade of rising interstate conflict.” The scale and intensity of these conflicts makes it a serious challenge for many African countries. In many places, conflict has been ongoing for decades and has prevented the implementation of development initiatives. This has led to a situation in which the majority of sub-Saharan African countries are “fragile” or “at risk” states. Such instability also poses a serious threat to neighboring countries as well as the global economy.

Dwindling Natural Resources

Another significant issue that has plagued Africa for decades is the dwindling of natural resources. This is a major challenge for resource-rich countries, which rely heavily on their natural capital to generate income. Unfortunately, many of these resources are finite and will run out in the near future. This is a serious issue as it threatens the economic stability of many African countries. For example, the majority of African countries rely on oil to generate a significant portion of government revenue. Unfortunately, the global oil market is currently experiencing a significant decline, which has led to decreased revenue for many African countries. The declining availability of natural resources also poses a threat to the stability of many African countries. Resource-rich countries often suffer from the “resource curse,” in which the availability of natural capital leads to political instability. The resource curse is a significant challenge for many African countries, which are heavily reliant on natural capital for government revenue.

Poor Infrastructure

Poor infrastructure is one of the most significant challenges facing Africa. This is a problem that goes beyond a lack of roads, railways, or ports and is linked to the overall quality of life in many African countries. For example, many African countries do not have reliable electricity or water supplies, which significantly reduces the quality of life for citizens. The lack of proper infrastructure is not only a problem for individuals, but also a significant challenge for businesses. Poor infrastructure makes it difficult for companies to operate profitably, which discourages investment and limits economic growth. This is a significant challenge for Africa, which has the lowest quality of roads in the world. Poor roads are not only a nuisance for drivers, but also a major challenge for businesses in the region.

What Can Be Done To Change The Situation?

There are many challenges facing Africa, but it is not all bad news. Despite the many problems that have plagued the continent for decades, many African countries have recently made significant progress. For example, the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2019 shows that many African countries have improved their business climate, making it easier to do business in the region. Significant challenges remain, but there are also many opportunities for African countries to improve their situation. To reduce poverty and increase economic growth, African governments must implement policies that make it easier to do business and generate investment. Making significant progress in these areas will be a challenge, but it is necessary if African countries want to see the “African century” come to fruition.