Challenges to Development in Africa

1. Challenges to Development in Africa Chapter 7

2. Problems in Africa • Africa is faced with many problems • Most Africans are aware of these problems • Disagree on solutions to these problems • Most Africans also agree that the problems must be solved

3. Origins of the Problems • Many believe that the origins to the problems in Africa are: • Colonialism • Local power struggles • Unjust and corrupt rulers • Dependence on the West

4. The Need to Develop • The basic aim of development is to improve the quality of life • Africa must do three things to develop • Develop natural resources • Industrialize • Modernize farming • May seem simple, yet very difficult for many African nations

5. Problems from Colonial Period • Most of the present boundaries of Africa are the same that are set up by colonial powers • Little consideration given to ethnic groups • As a result, most countries are made up of many different ethnic groups • Speak different languages • May be rivals • Make it hard to create a sense of national identity

6. A Declining Economy • Goal to developing economies is to export enough to earn the needed income • Some nations tried on their own • Others looked for help • Some progress has been made, but not as much that is needed • Not enough qualified people to run new systems • Gains made by farmers offset by population growth • Not enough research before programs put into effect

7. Drought and Famine • Droughts and famine are not new • Over the last 30 years all but 5 nations south of the Sahara desert have suffered food shortages • 22 nations still suffer the effects of the drought in the 1980s

8. Population Growth • Africa is huge, but there are many deserts and forests • Land available for farming is not great • 2.9% population growth per year in Africa • Highest in the world • Population is catching up to the available land • Harder for farmers to produce enough to feed families and raise export crops

9. Facing the Challenges to Development in Africa

10. The OAU • The OAU (Organization of African Unity) was founded in 1963 • Promotes economic cooperation, and settles political disputes between African nations • In 1980 it drew up an economic plan to revive Africa by the year 2000 • Self-sufficiency of food production • Increase in industrial development

11. The OAU • The plan also called for • Expansion of highways and railroads • Increase in trade • Although some improvements were made, Africa still has a long way to go

12. Development Planning • A large part of the crisis in Africa is the lack of development planning • New programs are not needed • Must find better ways to implement the programs that are in place • Help from the rest of the world is important • In the long run the Africans must do most of the work needed

13. Education • During the colonial period, Africans did not receive an education • During the 1960’s, education became a priority • Had the goals of: • 100% elementary education • 30% high school • 20% college • African leaders agree that since 65% of the population in Africa is under age 25, education is a priority

14. Obstacles to Education • Education costs money • As we know Africa is in an economic crisis • Education budgets have been cut • Lack of qualified teachers • Inability to get to school in rural areas • Decline in student performance • Students dropping out or repeating grades is on the rise

15. Combating AIDS • Africa’s number one health challenge • Most countries attempt to educate their citizens to fight the disease • Popular musicians, missionaries, and government workers attempt to spread the word • How to stop AIDS is greatly debated

16. Self-reliance • The key to a better standard of living is self-reliance • The ability to rely on one’s self • Change must come from Africans who are working for the betterment of their continent • Not foreign assistance

17. Self-reliance • To become self-reliant, Africans must be unified • A single language would help unify the people • So many languages, it is hard to choose one because so many languages are spoken in Africa • Some say that Swahili should become the common language for the whole continent • 50 million people worldwide can communicate using Swahili

18. To Recap: • Basic aim of African development is to improve the quality of life • African governments have been working to develop their economies • Some progress made, but not as much as desired

19. To Recap (cont): • Africa is faced with many challenges • Financial debt • Famine • Population growth • Poor education • AIDS • Most Africans believe that the West must contribute, but the key to a better future is self-reliance