Africa Chapter 20 Economic Development

Warm-up What has happened to Africa’s standard of living over the last thirty years? On what do most African nations base their economy? Why?

Answers Africa’s standard of living has gotten worse. Most African nations have based their economies on providing raw materials to the industrialized countries. This has been due to European colonization, slavery, deaths of workers obtaining raw materials, exploitation of Africa’s environment, and political instability.

Economic Status Africa accounts for only 1% of the total world GNP 1.5% total dollar value of world exports These numbers are very small compared to Africa’s population and available resources Infrastructures are not in place or are not adequate Access to computers and high technology is minimal

Development When European countries pulled out of Africa, they left them without money for transportation, education, and businesses Africa had to borrow heavily to pay for these infrastructures (227 billion dollars) As a result, many western countries have been urged to forgive Africa’s debts

Improving the Economy ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is striving to promote trade SADC (Southern African Development Community) is working toward creating a common currency and improving communication and transportation

Industries Several countries rely on just one or two principal commodities (see map p. 462) A commodity is an agricultural or mineral product that can be sold Its value varies day-to-day based on supply and demand African nations must diversify to achieve economic growth Djibouti (establishing a major international shipping center) Are most exports mineral or agricultural? What is the disadvantage of relying primarily on mineral resources?

Education Key to improving the economy is through education Nations must also prevent skilled workers from leaving the continent School attendance is low, civil wars have destroyed school systems Some countries are making progress: Algeria 94% receive formal education, Mauritania 83% over age 15 are literate

Brain Drain 1983 International Organization for Migration began a campaign to encourage professionals to return home from Western countries Improving education, industry, and creating stable governments provide hope for Africa’s future

Summarizing What are some causes of economic problems in Africa? What impact is Africa’s debt having on its ability to build its economy (think of a credit card)?

Health Care June 1, 2001 the longest living South African child born with HIV died He was only 12 years old and weighed only 27 pounds (my two year old weighed this much!)

Statistics on Leading Diseases 1900 Malaria (first found in Greece 400 B.C.) Sleeping Sickness (found 1300 Mali) Smallpox (1156 B.C. in Egypt) 2000 Malaria (90% of cases occur in Africa) Sleeping Sickness (60 million affected annually) AIDS (origins traced to Central Africa 1959)

Disease Caused by lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation, lack of education Cholera: can be rapidly fatal, caused by ingesting contaminated water, widespread flooding Malaria: caused by mosquitoes, resistant to drugs, preventative drugs are expensive; therefore, it is a poverty disease

AIDS 70% adults, 80% children affected by AIDS live in Africa AIDS is also accompanied by tuberculosis (respiratory infections) Has reduced life expectancy in Swaziland from 58 to 39 In 2000, 20 million people in Africa were living with either HIV or AIDS

AIDS – Economic Consequences People who are sick work less or not at all, and therefore are pushed further into poverty By 2010, GDP of South Africa will be 17% lower than it would have been if not for AIDS UNAIDS: UN organization is working to study AIDS and what is needed to fight it (estimated $4.63 billion to fight it in Africa alone)

Africa and Other Nations Respond African nations have used spraying programs to reduce insects Children’s Vaccines has pledged money to incorporate immunization programs Health care systems are being improved (Gabon uses oil revenues)

Success Uganda offers same-day HIV tests and education programs Infection among 15-24 year olds have dropped by 50% Senegal has an intensive education program Infection rates have remained below 2%

Summarizing What are some causes of diseases in Africa? How has AIDS affected Africa’s economy as well as its people?