1. Africa Today

2. African Economics

3. The relationship between a country’s economy and its literacy rate.
Let’s look at …
The relationship between a country’s economy and its literacy rate.

4. What does literacy rate mean?
The percentage of people in a country that can read and write.

5. What in the world is GDP? Gross Domestic Product
The total market value of all final goods and services produced within the country in a given period of time (usually a calendar year).
Countries seek to increase their GDP to improve their standard of living

6. So, what is GDP per capita?
Per capita is a measure of wealth
Per capita income means how much money each individual would receive IF a country divided its yearly income equally among everyone.
Is used to measure a nation’s wealth with the wealth of other nations.

7. Look at the following chart and try to determine the following …
Does the literacy rate of a country seem to have an affect on …
GDP per capita?
Life expectancy?
Industrial production growth rate?

9. Other factors?
Other than the literacy rate, what other factors may affect a country’s GDP per capita?

10. So, how does literacy rate affect the standard of living in Africa?
Normally, the higher the literacy rate the higher the GDP per capita.

11. What is the relationship between investment in human capital and GDP?
First … what is human capital?
The health, strength, education, training, and skills that people bring to their jobs.

12. What is the relationship between investment in human capital and GDP?
What do you think would be an example of human capital?
How can a country invest in human capital?
Do you think a country would be wise to invest in human capital?
What is the relationship between investment in human capital and the GDP?
Do you think our chart supports your answer?

13. Economy – Two Case Studies
South Africa & Nigeria

14. South Africa’s Economy
Gold and diamonds
Tourism has developed into an important economic factor over the last years
Rand – South Africa’s currency

15. Nigeria’s Economy
The economy of Nigeria historically was based on agriculture, and more than half of the workforce is still engaged in farming (largely of a subsistence type).
But then oil was discovered!
Today, Nigeria’s economy is considered a “dual economy” – half economy based in agriculture – the other half based in oil!

16. Take a minute to think …
Which do you think would be better for a country … to EXPORT more oil … OR to IMPORT more oil?
Be able to defend your answer!

17. AIDS and Famine in Africa
Between 1999 and 2000 more people died of AIDS in Africa than in all the wars on the continent.
WHY? Lack of medical care, lack of medicine, lack of education – therefore, people don’t know how to prevent the spread of AIDS.

18. AIDS & Famine continued
AIDS affects different segments of society in different ways.
Example –
Children have to care for sick parents. Schooling may suffer as a result.
Children become orphans when parents die of AIDS.

19. Famine in Africa

20. Most Deadly Periods of Starvation
Somalia – 2010 – 2012 – appx. 260,000 died
Sudan – along with civil war, 70,000 died
Somalia – 1991 – 1992 – 300,000 died
Ethiopia – 1983 – 1985 – 1 million died
Uganda – 1980 – 1983 – 30,000 died
Many, many more … these are just a few!

21. What causes famine?
Drought
Conflict
Misuse of the land

22. Just one more issue … the issue of education.
How does gender affect access to education in Kenya and Sudan?
Historically, females in Africa have had much less access to education than males. Therefore, in many African countries the literacy rate among females is much lower than the literacy rate among males. However, many countries are working hard to change this.

24. Can you answer this question?
Why does international trade require a system for exchanging currencies between nations?
Because when I go to England, I cannot buy a Big Mac at an English McDonald’s with my American dollar! I must have the English pound to buy the Big Mac at the English McDonald’s! Therefore, there must be a system to exchange my American dollar for the English pound!

25. Governments of Africa

26. First … a short review of governments!

27. A Review of Governments LEQ’s
How do the unitary, confederation, and federal government systems distribute power?
How do autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic governments determine citizen participation?
What are the components of parliamentary and presidential governments?

28. Unitary
Central government possess MOST authority / decision-making powers
Example – South Africa, Rwanda, Sierra Leon
Confederation
Local governments have SOME authority / decision-making powers
The United States PRIOR to the Constitution (Under the Articles of the Confederation)
Federal
Power split between central and local governments in authority / decision-making powers
Example – United States

29. Map of unitary governments

30. Autocratic
Political power held by single, self-appointed ruler
This person determines the role of citizens
Oligarchic
Political power held with a small, elite few
These few people determines the role of the citizen
Democratic
Political power is held by the majority of the people
The majority of the people determine the role of the citizens

31. A Look at Some Governments of Africa LEQ’s
What distinguishes the form of leadership, public voting procedures and personal freedoms the republican systems of government in the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of South Africa and the dictatorship of the Republic of Sudan?

32. Presidential Democracy Parliamentary Democracy Dictatorship
Kenya
South Africa
Sudan
Type of government
Citizen participation
Which LEVEL holds the power?
Presidential Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Dictatorship
Citizens vote for the president & representatives
Citizens vote for the parliament & then the parliament votes for the president.
Citizens have no real voice in the government.
National government has the power – therefore a UNITARY
National government has the power – therefore a UNITARY
Central government has the
power – therefore, a UNITARY

33. The End!