Chapter 2.5 Issues for Africa Today I. Economic Issues Colonial Powers saw Africa as a source for raw materials, but did little factory building inside.

Chapter 2.5 Chapter 2.5 Issues for Africa TodayIssues for Africa Today

I. Economic IssuesI. Economic Issues

Colonial Powers saw Africa as a source Colonial Powers saw Africa as a source for raw materials, but did little factory for raw materials, but did little factory building inside the country, thus taking all building inside the country, thus taking all resources out of the Country.resources out of the Country.

So when all the good things are taken out So when all the good things are taken out of the country it starts to of the country it starts to

Look like thisLook like this

A. FarmingA. Farming

60% of Africa’s workers are farmers so it is 60% of Africa’s workers are farmers so it is the most important economic activitythe most important economic activity

There are 2 main types of farming, There are 2 main types of farming, subsistence farming and commercial subsistence farming and commercial farming where the main crops are the farming where the main crops are the cacao, coffee, and bananas.cacao, coffee, and bananas.

B. MiningB. Mining

Africa’s rich minerals were what the Africa’s rich minerals were what the Europeans were afterEuropeans were after

Nigeria is rich in oil and coalNigeria is rich in oil and coal

The Conga and Zambia have copperThe Conga and Zambia have copper

While South Africa is rich in gold and While South Africa is rich in gold and DiamondsDiamonds

C. Economic ChallengesC. Economic Challenges

75% of African Countries have specialized 75% of African Countries have specialized economies which means they depend on economies which means they depend on exporting 1-2 main productsexporting 1-2 main products

Gambia-peanuts, Zambia-copperGambia-peanuts, Zambia-copper

Because of this they are sensitive to the Because of this they are sensitive to the rise and fall of world pricesrise and fall of world prices

D. Farming ImprovementsD. Farming Improvements

Another big issue is Africa’s problem of Another big issue is Africa’s problem of feeding its growing nationfeeding its growing nation

Many farmers have increased the amount Many farmers have increased the amount of crops they grow and even developed of crops they grow and even developed hybrid crops to maximize the productionhybrid crops to maximize the production

II. Social IssuesII. Social Issues

Another main issue in Africa is working on Another main issue in Africa is working on its social issues like trying to provide its social issues like trying to provide services to its growing population services to its growing population

Education and health (starvation) are Education and health (starvation) are some of the big issuessome of the big issues

A. EducationA. Education

Most children work on family farms so if Most children work on family farms so if they go to school the family income and they go to school the family income and food supply is sacrificedfood supply is sacrificed

Many, however do believe education is Many, however do believe education is importantimportant

Most countries come together to build their Most countries come together to build their own schoolsown schools

Most schools are standing room only since Most schools are standing room only since so many would do anything to get their so many would do anything to get their educationeducation

The kids do everything they are asked and The kids do everything they are asked and stay as late as the teacher will so they can stay as late as the teacher will so they can hear every word. The alternative is a life hear every word. The alternative is a life of manual labor in the fields so they don’t of manual labor in the fields so they don’t take school for grantedtake school for granted

B. Reading and WritingB. Reading and Writing

The number of literate students varies by The number of literate students varies by countrycountry

Countries like Mozambiqu are only 7% Countries like Mozambiqu are only 7% literate while Tanzania is 78%literate while Tanzania is 78%

C. HealthC. Health

Life expectancy is a major issueLife expectancy is a major issueSome areas are around 67-72 years while others are as Some areas are around 67-72 years while others are as low as 50 or even 32 in Botswanalow as 50 or even 32 in BotswanaThe main reason for this is childhood diseaseThe main reason for this is childhood diseaseThings like Insects, malaria, unclean drinking water, and Things like Insects, malaria, unclean drinking water, and living conditions as well as HIV AIDSliving conditions as well as HIV AIDS

D. Preventing DiseaseD. Preventing Disease

AIDS is everywhere but is AIDS is everywhere but is the worst in South Africa.the worst in South Africa.

Many are poor and cant Many are poor and cant afford health careafford health care

Many are unable to get or Many are unable to get or provide an education for provide an education for themselvesthemselves

But Organizations like the But Organizations like the World Health World Health Organization have set up Organization have set up programs to help programs to help

III. The EnvironmentIII. The Environment

The environment is also a challenge, Africa is The environment is also a challenge, Africa is 2/3 desert so more than half if very dry land, and 2/3 desert so more than half if very dry land, and adding to this drought and flooding hurt the main adding to this drought and flooding hurt the main industry of farmingindustry of farmingSo many turn to timber or lumber as a way to So many turn to timber or lumber as a way to make money but this depletes their jungles and make money but this depletes their jungles and rain forests and with most tress gone erosion rain forests and with most tress gone erosion becomes a huge issuebecomes a huge issue