What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

When we look at Africa…When we look at Africa…and the amount of foreign and the amount of foreign aid and support provided aid and support provided annually by the annually by the international community, we international community, we begin to question, “What is begin to question, “What is wrong with Africa?”wrong with Africa?”

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

When you think of Africa, When you think of Africa, what thoughts immediately what thoughts immediately come to mind?come to mind?

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

Some facts….Some facts…. Africa is the second largest continent on Earth. Africa is the second largest continent on Earth. It is about 30 000 000 kmIt is about 30 000 000 km22. The USA would fit 3X . The USA would fit 3X inside Africa.inside Africa.

Africa has 12% of the world’s population (840 Africa has 12% of the world’s population (840 million people (est. 2005)).million people (est. 2005)).

Nearly 25% of Africa’s land mass is the Sahara Nearly 25% of Africa’s land mass is the Sahara Desert.Desert.

The total length of Africa’s shoreline stretches The total length of Africa’s shoreline stretches over 25 600 km with few deep bays or inlets.over 25 600 km with few deep bays or inlets.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

Some facts….Some facts…. Africa stretches between the Africa stretches between the latitudes of 35latitudes of 35OON and 37N and 37OOS (about 8 S (about 8 000 km).000 km).

Nearly 75% of Africa has a Nearly 75% of Africa has a tropical climate. There is almost tropical climate. There is almost perpetual summer with high perpetual summer with high temperatures throughout the year, temperatures throughout the year, as well as definite seasons of rain as well as definite seasons of rain and drought. The north is primarily and drought. The north is primarily arid or desert. The south is a mix arid or desert. The south is a mix of savannah plains and rainforests.of savannah plains and rainforests.

Mountain ranges moderate Mountain ranges moderate temperatures.temperatures.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

Some facts….Some facts….

Africa has 54 countries and numerous Africa has 54 countries and numerous territories. territories.

The largest country is Sudan (2 500 000 The largest country is Sudan (2 500 000 kmkm22). The smallest is Seychelles (455 km). The smallest is Seychelles (455 km22), ), an archipelago off the eastern shoreline. The an archipelago off the eastern shoreline. The smallest country on the mainland is Gambia smallest country on the mainland is Gambia (10 380 km(10 380 km22). ). The richest country is Mauritius ($11 400 The richest country is Mauritius ($11 400 GDP per capita (USA$2004)) while the GDP per capita (USA$2004)) while the poorest countries are Somalia and Sierra poorest countries are Somalia and Sierra Leone ($500 GDP per capita). Canada’s per Leone ($500 GDP per capita). Canada’s per capita income is $31 500.capita income is $31 500.

There are over 1 000 different languages in There are over 1 000 different languages in Africa. These languages can be grouped into Africa. These languages can be grouped into four main language families native to Africa.four main language families native to Africa.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?Some facts….Some facts…. Africa has 1% of the world’s international Africa has 1% of the world’s international trade.trade.

The bottom 25 countries on a human The bottom 25 countries on a human development scale are Africa nations (UN, development scale are Africa nations (UN, 2003).2003).

Every day, the same number of people Every day, the same number of people killed in the World Trade Centre (3 000) die in killed in the World Trade Centre (3 000) die in Africa from AIDS. Over 15 million children Africa from AIDS. Over 15 million children are AIDS orphans in Sub-Sahara Africa…and are AIDS orphans in Sub-Sahara Africa…and the number is rising. the number is rising.

Over 150 000 Africa women die annually Over 150 000 Africa women die annually during childbirth.during childbirth.

In the last decade, Africa is going In the last decade, Africa is going backwards relative to other developing areas backwards relative to other developing areas of the world with respect to foreign trade, of the world with respect to foreign trade, investment, standard of living and per capita investment, standard of living and per capita income.income.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

Why?Why?

When the rest of the world is When the rest of the world is developing and quality of life is developing and quality of life is improving for many people, why is improving for many people, why is Africa lagging behind?Africa lagging behind?

In framing the issue, we need to In framing the issue, we need to consider history, geography, consider history, geography, economics, environment, society economics, environment, society and politics….and politics….

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?History…SlaveryHistory…Slavery

One of the darkest chapters in the modern One of the darkest chapters in the modern world history is slavery.world history is slavery.

Between 1500 and 1800, an estimated 8-12 Between 1500 and 1800, an estimated 8-12 million Africans were carried off in the Atlantic million Africans were carried off in the Atlantic slave trade. The total rises to 20 million slave trade. The total rises to 20 million Africans if the Arab slave trade is included.Africans if the Arab slave trade is included.

If we assume ten people died for every one If we assume ten people died for every one slave successfully transported, 200 million slave successfully transported, 200 million Africans were slaves.Africans were slaves.

Slavery mostly impacted central Africa.Slavery mostly impacted central Africa.

Slavery was abolished in 1858.Slavery was abolished in 1858.

How would slavery impact Africa’s progress?How would slavery impact Africa’s progress?

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

History…ColonialismHistory…Colonialism

In the late nineteenth century, the In the late nineteenth century, the European powers occupied most of European powers occupied most of Africa. Africa. Colonial occupation ended after Colonial occupation ended after WWII. In 1957, Ghana became the first WWII. In 1957, Ghana became the first independent Africa nation. independent Africa nation.

Colonial rulers established arbitrary Colonial rulers established arbitrary borders between African tribes and borders between African tribes and societies.societies.

Colonial rulers often changed the Colonial rulers often changed the balance of power. The colonialists balance of power. The colonialists generally supported rulers who ensured generally supported rulers who ensured colonial authority. colonial authority.

Black Africans were often treated as Black Africans were often treated as inferior.inferior.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?History…Colonialism…2History…Colonialism…2

Why might colonialism have a negative impact Why might colonialism have a negative impact on African development?on African development?

As noted, arbitrary borders were drawn between As noted, arbitrary borders were drawn between existing tribes and societies.existing tribes and societies. As well, the As well, the colonial powers often put in place local rulers colonial powers often put in place local rulers who did not reflect the societal makeup.who did not reflect the societal makeup.

Modern Nigeria Modern Nigeria is a good example. It has three is a good example. It has three big tribes and more than 400 ethnic groups. big tribes and more than 400 ethnic groups. Under colonial rule, the people elect one Under colonial rule, the people elect one president and one government. Imagine a president and one government. Imagine a Europe whose larger tribes (Germans, French, Europe whose larger tribes (Germans, French, British) and 25 European Union states were British) and 25 European Union states were united by force (not referendum); where the united by force (not referendum); where the French are Muslim, the Germans Catholic, the French are Muslim, the Germans Catholic, the British Protestant; where the only source of British Protestant; where the only source of income (oil) is under German control. Would it income (oil) is under German control. Would it work? work?

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?History…Cold WarHistory…Cold WarAfter WWII, Africa was caught up in the Cold After WWII, Africa was caught up in the Cold War confrontation between the USA and the War confrontation between the USA and the Soviet Union. Soviet Union. To protect their shipping lanes To protect their shipping lanes and access to Africa’s resources, the and access to Africa’s resources, the superpowers often supported regimes that were superpowers often supported regimes that were dictatorships, authoritarian, tyrants and cruel. dictatorships, authoritarian, tyrants and cruel.

With independence, many African nations With independence, many African nations adopted a socialist model for development and adopted a socialist model for development and received vital financial support from the Soviets. received vital financial support from the Soviets. With the 1989 collapse of the Soviet Union, With the 1989 collapse of the Soviet Union, there nations lost their support….in some cases, there nations lost their support….in some cases, weapons.weapons.

Civil war and anarchy followed as factions fought Civil war and anarchy followed as factions fought for control. Yet, many Cold War dictators for control. Yet, many Cold War dictators remain.remain.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?Economy…Africa’s DebtEconomy…Africa’s Debt

Africa’s debt is about $200 billion. Most of the debt Africa’s debt is about $200 billion. Most of the debt was incurred by past governments seeking big was incurred by past governments seeking big solutions to problems, undertaking misguided projects solutions to problems, undertaking misguided projects or misusing funds for personal gains.or misusing funds for personal gains.

Sub-Saharan Africa receives $10 billion in aid Sub-Saharan Africa receives $10 billion in aid annually, but it loses $14 billion in debt payments per annually, but it loses $14 billion in debt payments per year. In 2003, Zambia spent twice as much on debt year. In 2003, Zambia spent twice as much on debt repayments as on health care. Many activist groups repayments as on health care. Many activist groups believe Africa’s debt burden is the single biggest believe Africa’s debt burden is the single biggest obstacle to the continent's development. obstacle to the continent's development.

Western countries have cancelled debt payments. In Western countries have cancelled debt payments. In 2005, $40 billion of debt was wrote off.2005, $40 billion of debt was wrote off.

Can cancelling debt repayments help the African Can cancelling debt repayments help the African poor?poor?

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

Economy…The International EconomyEconomy…The International Economy

Foreign policies and subsidies intended to Foreign policies and subsidies intended to protect Western producers put the small protect Western producers put the small producers in Africa at a disadvantage. For producers in Africa at a disadvantage. For example, the European Union spends $350 example, the European Union spends $350 billion annually to protect its farmers. The billion annually to protect its farmers. The subsidy maintains a way of life, but it also subsidy maintains a way of life, but it also supports inefficient operations. The African supports inefficient operations. The African grower cannot compete fairly.grower cannot compete fairly.

Many African countries over-tax farmers. These Many African countries over-tax farmers. These actions have given other developing regions actions have given other developing regions (e.g., Asia, Latin America) a competitive (e.g., Asia, Latin America) a competitive advantage. These regions produce and deliver advantage. These regions produce and deliver goods more cheaply. The loss of income to goods more cheaply. The loss of income to Africa is estimated at $70 billion annually.Africa is estimated at $70 billion annually.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?Economy – Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)Economy – Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)

Many countries have developed their economies Many countries have developed their economies based on one product or a narrow range of natural based on one product or a narrow range of natural resources. Nigeria is extremely rich in oil, but it resources. Nigeria is extremely rich in oil, but it imports food valued at $2.5 billion yearly. Nigeria imports food valued at $2.5 billion yearly. Nigeria neglected its agricultural sector.neglected its agricultural sector.

In the 1980s, the World Bank and the International In the 1980s, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) introduced SAPs. To receive Monetary Fund (IMF) introduced SAPs. To receive World Bank development aid, many African nations World Bank development aid, many African nations had to restructure…or eliminate…government had to restructure…or eliminate…government programs and services, privatize public-sector programs and services, privatize public-sector enterprises and devalue currencies. In some enterprises and devalue currencies. In some cases, schools and hospitals were closed. cases, schools and hospitals were closed.

Have SAPs helped or hurt Africa?Have SAPs helped or hurt Africa?

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?African Politics…African Politics…

For reasons stated, African politics For reasons stated, African politics are very confusing. are very confusing.

Countries that claim to be Countries that claim to be democracies are ruled by dictators. democracies are ruled by dictators.

Tribal issues are prevalent Tribal issues are prevalent throughout the continent.throughout the continent.

Government management is often Government management is often corrupt.corrupt.

Leaders refuse to acknowledge the Leaders refuse to acknowledge the AIDS crisis.AIDS crisis.

What is Wrong with Africa?What is Wrong with Africa?

When we think of Africa’s When we think of Africa’s problems, it is AIDS and problems, it is AIDS and poverty.poverty.

What should we do?What should we do?