Why Do Some African Nations Improve When Others Don’t?

I’ve seen some African nations develop more quickly than others over the last few years. Some of the factors I’ve noticed include population growth, lack of education, debt cancellation, and geographical disadvantage. These factors significantly influence African countries’ success, but I’m curious to know if this is true.

AIDS

Despite many people receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy, death rates are still high. This is even though new infections have declined by 42 percent. AIDS is erasing decades of progress in extending life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa.

The lack of effective prevention and treatment in many African countries has resulted in the unhindered spread of the epidemic. AIDS is particularly devastating for the poorest sectors of society. These include women, children, and the youth. They are often stigmatized and have limited access to HIV prevention technologies and treatment.

The most common mode of transmission is heterosexual sex. Young women are most likely to contract the disease. Those with HIV frequently rape them.

The most recent WHO data suggest that two out of three new infections of HIV occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The region accounts for 71% of the global burden of HIV infection. The worst affected regions are Southern Africa and Eastern Africa. The largest HIV epidemic is in South Africa, but other regions also have significant epidemics.

Research initiatives should strengthen the research capacities of African countries. They should also seek to ensure equity in cooperative ties between Africa and the global north. Research should focus on understanding the dynamics of HIV transmission. This includes tracking epidemic trends and prioritizing interventions in high-risk sub-populations.

The global north should also increase efforts to strengthen the transfer of research skills. Currently, research in Africa is limited by the lack of laboratory capacity. Moreover, research needs to focus on understanding the societal and social sexual networks of people most at risk. This will help to determine rates of STIs and risk behaviors.

Population growth

Despite recent improvements in many parts of the continent, the continent’s economies continue to be challenged by a range of institutional deficiencies. These include low productivity, poor rates of return on labor and capital, and poor infrastructure. In some cases, challenges of economic diversification have also taken on a spatial dimension.

In addition, many African countries struggle to stem corruption. These problems are reflected in sub-Saharan Africa’s poor economic performance, which is reflected in its poor delivery of public goods and services. Ultimately, the region needs to improve its long-term growth performance to increase its standard of living.

The future of African cities is also important to consider. Cities can provide safe havens for people who are fleeing conflict, as well as safe areas for political movements. But they also serve as models for tolerance, welcoming immigration policies, and rekindling the Pan-African identity.

The rapid urbanization of Africa is a key trend. Over the next 10 years, more than a dozen African cities will become megalopolises. The Global Cities Institute estimates that at least 10 of the world’s 20 biggest cities will be on the continent by 2100.

These cities are also home to some of the continent’s fastest-growing populations. Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania are some of the world’s most populous countries. But all three countries struggle to keep up with population growth.

Lack of education

Across the world, more than three-quarters of nine-year-olds cannot read for meaning. In Sub-Saharan Africa, girls are twice as likely to be out of school as boys. In some countries, boys may have an even more significant disadvantage.

There are many reasons why so many children are not in school. Lack of basic school infrastructure is one. In addition, opportunity costs may reduce the demand for education. In some countries, children may be expected to work to support their families. In addition, parents may prefer that their children work instead of study.

Many parents in poor families cannot afford to send their children to school. Consequently, many children attend private schools. This has been a long-standing problem. However, the government must ensure that schools do not charge fees. It also must provide cash allowances to poor families.

Some countries, like Tanzania and Malawi, do not have primary school facilities. For instance, many students in Gauteng complained about the school toilets’ condition.

Millions of youngsters are still not in school despite the progress in bridging the gender gap in primary enrollment. The number of pupils who drop out has increased since the end of apartheid. In some countries, children have had to walk a long distance to get to school.

In Chad, over 60 percent of the population is illiterate. The primary school completion rate is only 20 percent.

Geographic disadvantage

Generally speaking, the effects of geography on economic performance are a matter of degree. It’s a fact that some countries are doing better than others. And the best way to determine which ones have it is to look at their population, GDP, and trade statistics. 

Using statistical methods, we can tell that most African countries are at the bottom of the pack, while others are up to snuff. It’s only a matter of time before they join the ranks of the developed nations. Fortunately, most countries have a lot of natural resources and people to draw from, so there’s always room for improvement. Promoting sustainable growth through diverse initiatives is the most effective approach. 

Among these are enhancing agricultural productivity through modern technology, protecting farmers from unscrupulous landowners, and developing a better legal system. These are all critical components of a more equitable society. 

In addition, good governments can invest in infrastructure, curb corruption and build efficient roads. Ultimately, it’s up to the government to ensure these things happen.

Debt cancellation

During the colonial period, significant foreign trade defects were commonplace in Africa. These included high import tariffs, inefficient customs arrangements, and a lack of competitiveness in the international trade system. However, this has primarily been remedied by better macroeconomic and financial policies and improved competition in the international trading system.

Historically, Europe was responsible for some of the significant foreign trade defects of the continent. However, Europe must regain its deserved place in the international economic community. In that case, it must overcome China’s increasing influence in Africa and coordinate a more international response to the debt crisis.

The emergence of China as Africa’s largest trading partner has been the subject of much controversy in recent years. It is now estimated that China is Africa’s most significant source of investment. However, China has also been accused of debt colonialism toward Africa in recent years.

The Chinese Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) decreased from 50 to 35.6 between January and February. This is the lowest reading since the stock market crash of 2008-09. The Egyptian Stock Exchange index fell by over 30 percent between February and March.

The same cannot be said of the average tax-to-GDP ratios of European countries. These have remained at 17.2% of GDP for the past three years.

Bright debt relief has been identified as a possible means of catalyzing momentum in sub-Saharan Africa. However, most African countries cannot adopt short-run stimulus measures. The key is to encourage a better allocation of savings towards productive investments.

Africa’s engineering marvels

Throughout history, civil engineers have created some impressive feats. They have used innovative techniques to build structures that have changed the world’s landscape. Some of the most impressive feats have been constructed in Africa.

Great Zimbabwe, a historic medieval city, was once the largest settlement in sub-Saharan Africa. The city is a large, complex structure built in the local style. The city eschews rectilinearity for flowing curves and stone walls.

Another structure, the Great Enclosure, is believed to be the most significant ancient structure south of the Sahara. It extends 820 feet and has dressed stone walls as high as 36 feet.

Great Zimbabwe’s architectural style is said to have evolved from the Mapungubwe, a pre-colonial southern African culture. Mapungubwe was the first southern African culture to demonstrate economic differentiation.

The Yoruba walls were made from puddled mud. In addition to that, they had verandahs surrounding the court.

The Great Enclosure is also known for its conical thatched roofs. The building is located at Meroe in the Nile Valley. The structure is a World Heritage Site and is an excellent example of Neo-vernacular architecture.

A new residential development in Clifton, located at the foot of Lions Head, is another major civil-engineering feat. The new development will help to relieve traffic congestion in the area. The project was done in collaboration with the South African National Roads Agency and involved several designers.