Is Africa really poor or poor in managing resources and human development?

[Queentoshi]

Africa is rich in all ramifications and we can be a sovereign continent but it is so sad that we have gotten so used to the idea of depending on different countries for a lot of things and as result of that we don't want to do what we are supposed to. Africa is blessed with a lot of mineral resources but the problem is poor management as a result of a poor leadership structure.

Africa did not just go through physical colonization they also went through mental colonization which made people stop being people who can think for ourselves but rather people who are depending on other countries our colonizers. This is why they remain more developed than we are because we have chosen to be less innovative. The good thing is just that there is awareness on this and a lot of Africans are now going through mental recolonization taking over their consciousness and understanding now that there is a need for Africa to be better because we can actually be better with the resources we have. With that collective consciousness I believe that in no distance time at all the effect of this newfound consciousness will be seen, in areas of development in both structural and human areas.

[fruktik]

Recently i was listening to a geographer as he was making an analogy on the size of Africa, he said africa is so big that five continents could fit into it. while that sounded very outrageous he also backed it up with facts, what's the point of making such reference? Africa is rich in all ramifications and we can be a sovereign continent but it is so sad that we have gotten so used to the idea of depending on different countries for a lot of things and as result of that we don't want to do what we are supposed to. Africa is blessed with a lot of mineral resources but the problem is poor management as a result of a poor leadership structure.

My country also has abundant resources. But what does that matter? Ordinary people will never see the benefits. These natural resources are traded by those in power and the oligarchs, while the citizens remain just as poor as ever.

The root of the problem lies in an incredibly corrupt system that refuses to let outsiders anywhere near power. Anyone who has attempted to do so is either no longer alive or was forced to flee the country to escape violent retribution.

[atookz]

Africa is a rich continent endowed with natural resources but from the onset Africa is set up to fail. Could it be the geographical location of Africa? Africa as a continent shouldn't be struggling because it has various types of mineral resources that can turn Africa to one of the strongest continent in the world. The population is huge,there is knowledge etc. But like i said earlier it was set up to fail by those who claim to have discovered Africa. If African leaders think outside the box then surely Africa will become one of the best. Imagine Africa as a continent is using one currency to trade amongst themselves.

Interesting thought, but not just about poor vs rich. Africa is indeed very rich, it has about 30% of the world's mineral reserves, but this wealth turns into a curse rather than a blessing. The obvious example is the export of raw materials with no additional value, whereas the value addition (processing, manufacturing) takes place elsewhere, not in Africa. Add to that the low trade volume between African countries, which is about 15% versus about 60% for Europe. Despite being one continent, they are more occupied with trading outward than with their neighbours.

The "set up to fail" part, I guess it's not entirely wrong, there were some wounds left from the colonial legacies, arbitrary borders, extractive systems etc. When are we going to get to the point where we're moving forward if it's just blaming history? Governance and corruption are also big challenges that are entirely in their own hands. The single currency idea is good as a “big dream”, but it's still a long way in the future, just consider the Eco drama in West Africa that has been stuck for years. A common currency doesn't seem viable right now; AfCFTA seems like the more logical first step, with a common currency as a longer-term goal.

[Zigabel]

Yeah most African countries aren’t poor at all, they have enough mineral resources to enrich their country but what is affecting most of them is failure to utilize this resources very well. Bad governance and high rate of corruption has kept most of this country’s that are to be developed underdeveloped, making it look like the country is poor.

Exactly, bad governance the major reason why most African countries are not developed. The potential for their growth already exists, but selfishness has made the leaders focus and work for their own interest, as there is little to show for it. That is why many young people in Africa are ensuring they are self employed to take care of themselves, as the government is not doing much to help the people. And the rate at which this is becoming a serious problem and raises concern, as some young people are forced to become idle and cause a nuisance in their society.

Personal interest and greed is another thing that has kept so many African Nations in their said poor state,  the leaders are just so greedy and wants everything for them selves such that they sometimes do not mind if it is at the detriment of the whole Nation,  and sadly they get supported by some other set of followers who are also pursuing their own personal interest too in the same light,  because at the end of the day, they all just want to get rich by almost any means possible and fit in to the elite class of the society,  without minding the possible effect it could get on the masses generally.

So it is at some point not just about  the leaders alone,  but the citizens and followers also has been facilitators to the poor form of governance,  because  they adapt so quickly and don't demand accountability of their leaders in any form, they get so comfortable with the barest minimum they get. I wish Africans will begin to rise and unite against these leadership and systems that has kept them in the state they are, and it won't be long and they will be positioned for some really rapid development.

[Thewatchman]

Africa is not poor but only lacks full exposure in discovering its potential; this emancipation from their leaders and how they have belittled themselves, to reason on how they could utilize every opportunity they have to explore their abundant natural resources for their development.

Africans think they are independent whereas theyy are not, because it is not possible that you have everything needed to be rich and still yet depend on other countries to survive and develop, the leaders are not helping the situations as well because they are more selfish to themselves rather than being committed to National building, sometimes you don't tend to appreciate on what we have until we begin to lose it.

Africa has never been poor or can never be poor when it comes to a down to natural resources. In fact it is rich in abundance also, where there tends to be issues in regard to this is the ability to manage these resources to good use. Yes so many African countries will attest to the face that these resources are being misused or not properly managed by the government in charge thereby neglecting the usefulness of these resources. Management of resources can be achieved by outlining the measures it will take to conserve and manage them.

It is advisable that African countries learn from the western world so as to generate a good environment that is suitable for the citizens and good economic development within the African community.

[coupable]

We keep seeing this discussion again and again but the answer is simple it is a place where every natural resource exists such as raw material but it is not alone enough to make profits, the government should export the products to others than raw material to increase revenue and also they need to focus on the local based compnaies over the corporates from other nations because they make money and take the money to their country.

And we keep seeing this discussion again without users mentioning some good examples in Africa. Well, the great majority of countries are suffering from disastrous situations, but we still have some good examples. I am from an African country, and I know very well what I am talking about. Let's take the example of Morocco, which has been enjoying an expanding economic growth for about a decade. Ethopia and South Africa. All of them have life conditions much better than many countries in each continent. They are not developed countries, but they are in the right way to be.

[Churchillvv]

Africa did not just go through physical colonization they also went through mental colonization which made people stop being people who can think for ourselves but rather people who are depending on other countries our colonizers.

Perhaps you are right to an extent, infact the mental colonization is correct but we think for ourselves but of course there lost be a snitch for an agenda to be successful so the snitches lead to the dependency till date.

This is why they remain more developed than we are because we have chosen to be less innovative.

I think you need to learn about Imperialism, that will help you not to make this kind of conclusion on behalf of the majority of people in Africa, they obviously did not choose not to be innovative, infact look at all the innovations in history, Africans had a prototype of it but was destroyed or distorted only to be replaced by their own copy of what has already been in existence and yet claim discovery.

What I think you should do is learn more on Neo-colonialism what has forced west Africa specifically to remain destabilized and the new agenda is still trying to be written but there is so much resistance through education like I am doing now.

The good thing is just that there is awareness on this and a lot of Africans are now going through mental recolonization taking over their consciousness and understanding now that there is a need for Africa to be better because we can actually be better with the resources we have. With that collective consciousness I believe that in no distance time at all the effect of this newfound consciousness will be seen, in areas of development in both structural and human areas.

I believe you mean “DeColonization

Furthermore believing is hoping for what you can change to happen by divine intervention but however I think it’s best actions are taken by re-education or unlearning the nonsense which has been forced down the throats of Africans.

[eightdots]

Africa is not poor in both natural and human resources but management of these resources is the problem that make Africa appear poor. We cannot begin to measure the wealth of Africa in terms of what they have as natural resources, from arable lands to natural deposits such as oil and gas and even rare earth metals amongst others. If Africa manages her resources very well, they have no business with poverty but I don't think they will ever be allowed to develop due to democracy that is prone to manipulation hence paving way for the worst of them to lead them.

Africa is not actually a poor continent in terms of land and natural resources. It is very rich in natural resources. Diamonds, gold, lithium, you name it, it's there. These resources have been mismanaged, and the wealth generated has not benefited the people. In addition, the economic and political interests of foreign countries in Africa have been the biggest factor.

The effects of the system left over from the colonial era, the transfer of resources abroad, and political instability have all seriously prevented Africa from utilizing its own potential.

The abundance of resources does not necessarily mean that these resources are being used effectively. Therefore, even with abundant resources, the people may not benefit from them, leading to poverty. Africa has a great deal of natural resources, but these resources are not being utilized in a way that benefits the people.

Africa has long been unable to utilize its potential, and there are many reasons for this.

[Issa56]

We keep seeing this discussion again and again but the answer is simple it is a place where every natural resource exists such as raw material but it is not alone enough to make profits, the government should export the products to others than raw material to increase revenue and also they need to focus on the local based compnaies over the corporates from other nations because they make money and take the money to their country.

Even if the government decide to export the raw materials to other countries to increase revenue, all the money made won’t be used to develop the country, some group of people are the ones which are going to share the money between themselves, and the main issue most African countries are having is that their leaders are corrupt, they only care about themselves. No matter how rich they are, they are still going to keep on embezzling more money, which I don’t even know that they going to do with the money which they are keeping. African countries with better leaders, are doing more better than the ones that most of their leaders are corrupt already.

[GeorgeJohn]

My country also has abundant resources. But what does that matter? Ordinary people will never see the benefits. These natural resources are traded by those in power and the oligarchs, while the citizens remain just as poor as ever.

This is an indication that bad governance have similar characteristics irrespective of the country....In my country, it's only "Elites" that likely control the natural resources of my nation...including the past leaders...I'm in politics of my country, so the corruption in politics is too much, and corruption is one of the things that's making some countries to be undeveloped till today, it doesn’t mean that their's no enough natural resources that will erase the hardship of the country to become better...but lacks of economy management and corruption wont allow the leaders to do the needful to the citizens....

[fruktik]

This is an indication that bad governance have similar characteristics irrespective of the country....In my country, it's only "Elites" that likely control the natural resources of my nation...including the past leaders...I'm in politics of my country, so the corruption in politics is too much, and corruption is one of the things that's making some countries to be undeveloped till today, it doesn’t mean that their's no enough natural resources that will erase the hardship of the country to become better...but lacks of economy management and corruption wont allow the leaders to do the needful to the citizens....

Yes, it all comes down to corruption. The entire ruling elite in my country ascended to high office for one reason only: to make money and steal from the public coffers. These individuals have absolutely no interest in the people's problems or aspirations; they simply laugh at them. They have become so brazen and devoid of conscience that they don't even try to hide it.

They control all the natural resources, managing them at their own discretion, while ordinary citizens don't see a single penny from them. And this has been going on for decades.

[DrBeer]

Africa is rich in all ramifications and we can be a sovereign continent but it is so sad that we have gotten so used to the idea of depending on different countries for a lot of things and as result of that we don't want to do what we are supposed to. Africa is blessed with a lot of mineral resources but the problem is poor management as a result of a poor leadership structure.

Africa did not just go through physical colonization they also went through mental colonization which made people stop being people who can think for ourselves but rather people who are depending on other countries our colonizers. This is why they remain more developed than we are because we have chosen to be less innovative. The good thing is just that there is awareness on this and a lot of Africans are now going through mental recolonization taking over their consciousness and understanding now that there is a need for Africa to be better because we can actually be better with the resources we have. With that collective consciousness I believe that in no distance time at all the effect of this newfound consciousness will be seen, in areas of development in both structural and human areas.

That aspect of the problem probably exists, but something tells me it isn’t the top priority, or even among the top ten, real problems.
I talk to a lot of people, including some from several African countries.
Trying to blame all problems on past colonization isn’t the best way to solve them. By the way, it wasn’t just African countries that experienced colonization, but the situation there has improved significantly.
As we know, most African countries gained independence more than 50 years ago. At the same time, some of them have abundant natural resources that other countries lack. And… and the situation isn’t improving. I believe it would be more effective to tackle the problem of corruption, the actual venality of "independent governments" , and the countries that buy up resources for pennies, rather than the desire to create a middle class that doesn’t just think about how to make it through to tomorrow, but will ask uncomfortable questions and demand that laws be enforced.

[Solodoski]

I don't think Africa should be a poor continent,  because I think they have a lot of natural and human resources to make them a great continent,  but I think one of the major reasons for Africa being poor is the leaders they have had over time. African leaders are all about themselves and they don't care about the people or the development of the continent and that's why they are still poor. The leaders are so corrupt that they only want to enrich themselves,  rather than improving the continent.
I also agree that Africa has been programed to fail from the beginning, because I think that Africa is been used as a source of raw material by the western world, but I blame the leaders more, that are not ready to make the continent better, because of their selfish interest.

[Bushdark]

My country also has abundant resources. But what does that matter? Ordinary people will never see the benefits. These natural resources are traded by those in power and the oligarchs, while the citizens remain just as poor as ever.

This is an indication that bad governance have similar characteristics irrespective of the country....In my country, it's only "Elites" that likely control the natural resources of my nation...including the past leaders...I'm in politics of my country, so the corruption in politics is too much, and corruption is one of the things that's making some countries to be undeveloped till today, it doesn’t mean that their's no enough natural resources that will erase the hardship of the country to become better...but lacks of economy management and corruption wont allow the leaders to do the needful to the citizens....

Corruption is the major factor that can destroy a country and make it prone to bad leaders and selfish generations that will be after extortion and stealing of different levels. The rate of corruption in most African countries are unbelievable and the problem has compiled and making the bad leaders feel too relaxed and seeing corruption like a normal activities. People are now joining politics for their selfish reasons both rich and poor because they want to control the national cake and have their own share of the cake.
The good leaders are being abandoned because the bad leaders can always use their power and money to pave ways for themselves.

[Webutxo]

Africa has never been poor or can never be poor when it comes to a down to natural resources. In fact it is rich in abundance also, where there tends to be issues in regard to this is the ability to manage these resources to good use. Yes so many African countries will attest to the face that these resources are being misused or not properly managed by the government in charge thereby neglecting the usefulness of these resources. Management of resources can be achieved by outlining the measures it will take to conserve and manage them.

It is advisable that African countries learn from the western world so as to generate a good environment that is suitable for the citizens and good economic development within the African community.

Let's not deceive our self, Africa is poor. We have natural resources in abundance but where are the things to process the natural resources to finish product. Most of the resources we have are not refine and finished here, they are bought from this place at cheap price and they are exported to other countries for finishing and then import back to Africa ay high price, they buy low and sell high which makes us as the wesker vessels, we are the weak part of the trade chain.

Until we set standard in Africa, even if we can't be fully independent we need to set that standard of independency from foreign countries. China did it years ago, they suffered it but look at what the are doing now, the world depend on them for survival. I think Africa is one of the largest consumer of China products today. If we want the same thing, we need to make the same sacrifices to make it better.

[fruktik]

Corruption is the major factor that can destroy a country and make it prone to bad leaders and selfish generations that will be after extortion and stealing of different levels. The rate of corruption in most African countries are unbelievable and the problem has compiled and making the bad leaders feel too relaxed and seeing corruption like a normal activities. People are now joining politics for their selfish reasons both rich and poor because they want to control the national cake and have their own share of the cake.
The good leaders are being abandoned because the bad leaders can always use their power and money to pave ways for themselves.

The problem of corruption is not limited to African countries. In my country, this phenomenon has persisted for decades. People come to power for one reason only: to steal public funds.

Just today, I read a news story about an official who owns over 70 apartments in Dubai! Just think about that number. It feels as though these individuals have lost their minds. What do they need so much real estate for? What is the point? They certainly can't take it all with them to the grave. To me, this looks like a pathology that requires professional intervention.

[Supreme Donvic]

Africa is not poor the only problem is that African leaders are poor in management of its resources, I will not actually say they cannot use the resources very well they can actually make good use of the resources we have in Africa but the issue is that this leaders wants to continue stealing and not developing.
If only the mindset of the African leaders will change then they will be able to manage the resources very well and the different countries in Africa will be developed.
My country Nigeria has everything it takes to build a very good country but because of the stealing and the mentality of the Nigerian leaders that is why our country is still under developed.

[DrBeer]

Africa has never been poor or can never be poor when it comes to a down to natural resources. In fact it is rich in abundance also, where there tends to be issues in regard to this is the ability to manage these resources to good use. Yes so many African countries will attest to the face that these resources are being misused or not properly managed by the government in charge thereby neglecting the usefulness of these resources. Management of resources can be achieved by outlining the measures it will take to conserve and manage them.

It is advisable that African countries learn from the western world so as to generate a good environment that is suitable for the citizens and good economic development within the African community.

Let's not deceive our self, Africa is poor. We have natural resources in abundance but where are the things to process the natural resources to finish product. Most of the resources we have are not refine and finished here, they are bought from this place at cheap price and they are exported to other countries for finishing and then import back to Africa ay high price, they buy low and sell high which makes us as the wesker vessels, we are the weak part of the trade chain.

Until we set standard in Africa, even if we can't be fully independent we need to set that standard of independency from foreign countries. China did it years ago, they suffered it but look at what the are doing now, the world depend on them for survival. I think Africa is one of the largest consumer of China products today. If we want the same thing, we need to make the same sacrifices to make it better.

To solve any problem, you first need to acknowledge the problem itself. This is very important, though not always pleasant. But you’ve done that - thank you!
You’re absolutely right: a country cannot become prosperous by selling RAW MATERIALS with minimal added value. That’s a resource-based economy. An efficient economy generates a high level of added value! This is a law that cannot be circumvented.
But this raises a question: African countries have been independent for over 50 years. Why haven’t they attracted investment to build not only an extractive industry but also one that produces finished goods? Yes, it’s not easy, but it’s the foundation for further development.
But… the "usurpers" are gone, and power has been handed over to the people - so what went wrong?
As for China - the colonizers of the past have left Africa, but the colonizer of the present has arrived, and that is China.
China won’t let you produce competitive goods and products because sales markets are critically important to its economy. And they’ll do everything to ensure you remain consumers of their products without developing your own economy. China is taking over countries and turning them into economic colonies and markets, spinning sweet tales about the struggle against the West. But it seems not all countries will realize this in time....

[Zackz5000]

Africa as a continent is not poor but they are greedy and also corrupt and poor sense of managing their resources very well. Africa is the most favored continent in the world with many natural resources and with a good weather conditions.
If only our leaders can manege our resources effectively with out been greedy and shun embezzlement of funds then Africa will look rich and beautiful like other European countries.
Africa has a substantial oil and gas but lack good refinery, mineral resources and good agricultural soil that can be used for development of the continent, but the problem is just often how these resources are been managed and convert into economic value.

[Queen uloma]

You’re very correct, in Africa we have many natural resources but the problem is not the resources.   leadership, poor infrastructure lack of unity, and corruption, has really affected this continent. I believe if African countries can work together, develop their industries and reduce dependence on foreign countries, we will have a stronger  economy.

Imagine if Africa countries only trade with one currency, it will make business more stress free and it will also strengthen the continent.  This can only happen when our leaders think beyond their personal want and interests and put Africa first.