Why is Africa so poor

While it is common knowledge that the majority of Africa is an undeveloped area that is generally considered quite poor in comparison to many Western standards at the same time not all of Africa is like this. Many parts of South Africa, for example, are highly developed and industrialized areas with strong consumer markets and developing industries. For the majority of the continent, however, there are a number of factors that contribute to the current deteriorating condition.

Perhaps one of the largest contributors to the current economic conditions of Africa in many areas is the pure lack of natural resources to utilize for development. Large portions of Africa are arid deserts or vast grasslands, providing ample room for many wildlife varieties to develop though few tangible resources for local habitants to utilize in their daily lives.

The few natural resources many places of Africa have in abundance have also been highly capitalized upon by foreign investors. These include large oil, gold, silver and precious stone deposits in many areas that, while highly valuable in most global markets, do little to benefit the local populations due to the virtually pure export-only nature of businesses.

History has also worked much to the disadvantage of many developing African nations. While many countries have attempted to develop greater infrastructures in the past these are usually highly dependent upon European or other investors and whether or not they feel the development is worthwhile. Many times as well a large number of areas have simply been exploited over the past few hundred years for the sake of individual or corporation profits.

Why is Africa so poor

In recent years a number of changes have been taking effect to bring about development and reform in many areas, though this is a slow process to be completed. Nevertheless many developers have shown renewed interest in Africa as a potential “financial hot spot” and place of interest over the coming few decades. As such urban development in many African countries has reached a new height, though the correction of widespread poverty and poor health conditions that have become established over the past few hundred years is not anticipated to be an easily correctable issue that can be resolved in the next few decades.