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

[Youngrebel]

Absolutely Africa is not poor but we are not always lucky to be blessed with good leaders that can make things go the right way for us.

Talking about good leaders, my question are who are the good once? Why I said this is because naturally I believe no man was born to be heartless or wicked everyone made their choices and decisions based on how life has treated them and this leadership we are talking about how do we know tge good one because I believe we human we are 2 sided and u never know a man’s true colour till he has held power even the once’s so close to us lost at times our own family members when most of them taste power you begin to see different the problem is mot just good leader but who can control himself over the power he’s holding.
 

I'm hopeful to see good results from them if the citizens comply and support his motion. If other African nations copy some of their decisions it will be good, particularly country like Nigeria should try to restore some of these government local refineries, provide more to them and make them start refining their products before shipping them out of the country because I'm sure that will boost its economy, alleviate poverty, and make life easy for its citizens.

And talking about refining raw materials in Nigeria before exporting them out of the country that decision is one of the hardest to take I won’t like because if has now turned to a tradition for we to remain and depend under the whites tor survival snd it only take a God fearing leader to take this bold step.

[viljy]

Don't disunderstand me but @Fruktik you may not understand the type of corruption that we are talking about here in Africa. It's often said that the Devil you know maybe better than the angel that you don't know. Yes it's true that when we talk about the issue of corruption it's a universal thing, the political class which you see in your Country Russia as been corrupt may be considered learning when compared to the political leaders in Africa.

Just imagine your government telling you that, a Snake swallow millions of hard currency. I don't think that it will ever happen in your country but this is the type and level of corruption that we have in Africa.

What do I know about corruption in the Russian Federation? Well, for one thing, about $4 trillion has been siphoned out of the country over the last 25 to 30 years. Can you even begin to picture that amount of money? I don't think the situation where you are comes anywhere close to this.

Yes, corruption levels in Africa are incredibly high, but compared to what goes on in Russia, it’s child's play. Every high-ranking official owns multiple luxury yachts, estates, fancy cars, and private jets. Did they really earn all of that themselves?

What do you see in this photo? This area is called "Rublyovka." It’s where officials live. Do you think these are their luxurious mansions? Yes, they are—but they’re merely doghouses for their pets. They own real estate all over the world; these structures are just for show. You simply cannot imagine the scale of theft in my country.
~

This is like a competition: who got robbed the most... Show me a non‑corrupt country? Even in the USA there is corruption, even in China! If you think that some country has no corruption, it means that corruption is simply well hidden. Corruption has existed, exists, and will always exist. As for peripheral countries, their problems are not only due to corruption but also to their predetermined place in the global economy. And the essence of it is that they are deliberately prevented from developing technologies and production. That is the reason. Corruption only contributes to maintaining this state of affairs.

[Localhostspeed]

This is like a competition: who got robbed the most... Show me a non‑corrupt country? Even in the USA there is corruption, even in China! If you think that some country has no corruption, it means that corruption is simply well hidden. Corruption has existed, exists, and will always exist. As for peripheral countries, their problems are not only due to corruption but also to their predetermined place in the global economy. And the essence of it is that they are deliberately prevented from developing technologies and production. That is the reason. Corruption only contributes to maintaining this state of affairs.

There is corruption everywhere I must say but there are some countries that don't find dignity in corruption, some countries don't care if the world see they stole money or not. They steal money and buy investment in other countries, they steal money and take life of average person while the masses suffer. Such character should be a death penalty, even in China they have some corrupt people there but if you are caught, the consequences is a harsh punishment.

If in Africa, they set corruption penalty as death, they give everone the grace to start over, they will not like it because politics is the only way people steal money. The pay they get from salary should give them the best life they need but they want to make generational wealth from politics and this is why everyone want to become a politician. If they set that penalty for all public servants, even the political interests will reduce.

[Juicyhome]

Africa is the richest continent in the world,  by mineral resources and population yet we're sinking in poverty all over the continent, while continent with little resources are milking in wealth,  it's as a result of quality leadership and not resources,  there is a poor management of the mineral resources in Africa by the African leaders,  they rather steal and collaborate with outsiders than to develop Africa like other continents. It's a leadership problem,  take Nigeria for example,  we have everything to be rich and live a good life, we have oil, gas, gold and many mineral products yet the people are very poor,while the leaders are living in luxury lifestyle in abroad, no good schools,  no roads, no good hospitals and poor transport system in the country. It's not about having Mineral resources It's about the leadership impact and training.

[Obulis]

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.

African countries are not poor, I can talk about my country called the African giants and you could write a novel concerning how public funds are managed inappropriately for private benefits over using it for the right purposes.

Governments are the bad eyes in the system, and reason why most African countries are still poor and not looking like escaping extreme poverty and side effects that shows how poor countries are living.

Nigeria has mineral resources, good soil for planting and everything needed to make us one of the richest countries in the world, but specific individuals are playing greed, what good comes out from greedy politicians in government offices.

The level of mismanagement of resources in this African giant is as much as their population, as in the level corruption in these nation is just too much. A nation endowed with from solid minerals to liquid minerals most especially the liquid black gold (crude oil), yet if you pay a visit to this oil rich regions particularly the Niger delta region the state of there livelihood is not up to half if compared with other oil regions in other countries where management of resources and human development is first. These eyes or giant of Africa is indeed giant also giant in corruption.

[fruktik]

Despite that, you can't still compare Russia to Africa in any way, they are far ahead of Africa in development and all, no one is saying there's no corruption in those part of the world, the fact is if you're not being told or go into details you will hardly find out such a thing do happen, but here in Africa it's very much obvious there's corruption in the continent, okay you're talking about $4 trillion that has been siphoned, what if you get to find out that the African leaders has embezzled more than that? And again these people embezzled to still develop the country, but here in Africa they embezzle to develop the western world, so in summary Africa is not poor but they are poor in development.

What makes you think that more money was drained from Africa? What natural resources does the continent sell to generate such wealth? It has vast reserves of oil and gas, if I’m not mistaken.

I don’t deny it; in fact, the figure might well exceed four trillion dollars. Africa certainly lags far behind Russia in terms of development. That is a fact—you don’t even need to look up the data; it’s obvious enough as it is.

Personally, I believe the peoples of African nations have hope for a bright future. Yes, it’s hard to believe right now, but times change.

[Uhwuchukwu53]

The problem of Africa is not issue of poverty by lacking resources but usage of the resources, and the struggle behind the minner of those resources make Africa not meeting up which make them appear poor, facts have show that various resources and minerals are here in Africa but are been taken away by some unknown bodies whose give little or no account to the people of Africa through smuggling, many Africa nation hot independence but not really independent as some are heavily taken decision outside their people which affect their development, the democratic system impose in Africa course some harm as that have cripple Africa where some sanctions are not taken speedily through some unknown ordered, conclusively Africa is affected by many factor poor management and corruption is the primary key coursing setback of Africa, backed by divide and rule principle of dividing Africa not united towards development.

[Sunshine1525]

The problem of Africa is not issue of poverty by lacking resources but usage of the resources, and the struggle behind the minner of those resources make Africa not meeting up which make them appear poor, facts have show that various resources and minerals are here in Africa but are been taken away by some unknown bodies whose give little or no account to the people of Africa through smuggling, many Africa nation hot independence but not really independent as some are heavily taken decision outside their people which affect their development, the democratic system impose in Africa course some harm as that have cripple Africa where some sanctions are not taken speedily through some unknown ordered, conclusively Africa is affected by many factor poor management and corruption is the primary key coursing setback of Africa, backed by divide and rule principle of dividing Africa not united towards development.

See Africa as a continent blessed with riches in mineral resources but lack proper management of those and how to use it for development. Africa has the most greedy leaders who careless about development but only how to use those resources for their own interests and don't mind trading it with externals for money meant for their personal use.

Until African leaders start putting the interest of their citizens at heart and refuse to be puppets of the colonial masters then the continent would be liberated from underdevelopment and poverty. If people allows greed to make them be used as puppets then they'll continue to be slaves but when they resist and say no they’ll be free from being controlled, i wish many African leaders could resist.

[programmer3666]

Africa is the richest continent in the world,  by mineral resources and population yet we're sinking in poverty all over the continent, while continent with little resources are milking in wealth,  it's as a result of quality leadership and not resources,  there is a poor management of the mineral resources in Africa by the African leaders,  they rather steal and collaborate with outsiders than to develop Africa like other continents. It's a leadership problem,  take Nigeria for example,  we have everything to be rich and live a good life, we have oil, gas, gold and many mineral products yet the people are very poor,while the leaders are living in luxury lifestyle in abroad, no good schools,  no roads, no good hospitals and poor transport system in the country. It's not about having Mineral resources It's about the leadership impact and training.

The enablers of bad leaders are the citizens themselves because you leaders do not fall from heaven, they are the reflection of a corrupt people. The issue is not just at the top but also the deep entitlement and inferior mindset that runs through the lives of a regular citizen. You will see people shouting and screaming about a politician stealing public funds but as soon as they themselves get a bit of opportunity to wild a position of power, even in their own tiny locality or a workplace, they instantly start to do the same thing by cutting corners and cheating the system too.

[Promocodeudo]

The problem of Africa is not issue of poverty by lacking resources but usage of the resources, and the struggle behind the minner of those resources make Africa not meeting up which make them appear poor, facts have show that various resources and minerals are here in Africa but are been taken away by some unknown bodies whose give little or no account to the people of Africa through smuggling, many Africa nation hot independence but not really independent as some are heavily taken decision outside their people which affect their development, the democratic system impose in Africa course some harm as that have cripple Africa where some sanctions are not taken speedily through some unknown ordered, conclusively Africa is affected by many factor poor management and corruption is the primary key coursing setback of Africa, backed by divide and rule principle of dividing Africa not united towards development.

Absolutely, African nations are faced with mismanagement of their resources by their leaders which you have said, my concern about this thing that look like sickness that has no cure in Africa is that, when are we going to get things working perfectly, how will the citizens of rich countries in Africa be suffering for unemployment, and different things that are supposed to be something they shouldn't be begging from the government, you see a government official owning houses and investments all over the world, The problem of African is Africa, some people say that our colonial masters are our problem, but I doubt if that's true cause, my country Nigeria is a nation of it's own, if aren't developing, we are the problem cause no country has the right to tap our natural resources except we permit them to, so whatever we are going through in Africa, we are the cause and until we decide to do things right, we will never get it right.

[Chilwell]

If in Africa, they set corruption penalty as death, they give everone the grace to start over, they will not like it because politics is the only way people steal money. The pay they get from salary should give them the best life they need but they want to make generational wealth from politics and this is why everyone want to become a politician. If they set that penalty for all public servants, even the political interests will reduce.

This politicians you are mentioning are the one that are making laws, even with the laws they put in place they are not even implementing it, in Nigeria in particularly which I comes from, our leaders are above the Law if they are in power and that is why they are free to do anything they want. Government is a continual process and that is how we see cases going out without proper Justice, our leaders are doing what previous leaders have done, the people in the past that are corrupt and how they stolen our money and how the processes meaning corruption issues were handled and how that particular person went free and nothing happened to him.

Any amount of crime you commit and you are with the ruling party you are safe, but if you want to go against the ruling party that is when they will chase you and try to ruin your life because you are going against them. Nigerian politicians are the most wicked politicians in the world, I said this because I am living here in Nigeria and is what I see I believe.

[Abdulzuruku01]

The problem of Africa is not issue of poverty by lacking resources but usage of the resources, and the struggle behind the minner of those resources make Africa not meeting up which make them appear poor, facts have show that various resources and minerals are here in Africa but are been taken away by some unknown bodies whose give little or no account to the people of Africa through smuggling, many Africa nation hot independence but not really independent as some are heavily taken decision outside their people which affect their development, the democratic system impose in Africa course some harm as that have cripple Africa where some sanctions are not taken speedily through some unknown ordered, conclusively Africa is affected by many factor poor management and corruption is the primary key coursing setback of Africa, backed by divide and rule principle of dividing Africa not united towards development.

As the matter of fact after many decades since most African nations gained independence, they have not become developed nations. Some people still believe that majority of African countries are still controlled by foreigners through our bad and corrupt leaders. In addition, as sovereign countries on the continent, how is it that we still don't have full control of our natural and mineral resources and they are being enjoyed by foreigners and few people among us, honestly that is unfair. 

In my personal view some national leaders are only there for their personal interests, not to fight for economic development. That is why some people are calling for revolution in some major African nations that are being governed by corrupt leaders and to me that is when we will see a reduction in the rate of poverty.

[Charleslie]

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.

Africa is a very rich continent with so many natural resources, yet we are still struggling to develop. Sometimes you have to ask yourself some certain questions. Africa has so many mineral resources and also large in population, knowledge and many other things.
  If our African leaders can think differently, work together and stop depending too much on other countries, Africa can become much stronger and make the continent one of the strongest in the world. Africa has the power and also what it takes. What we need is good leadership, unity, proper planning and the courage to make better decisions for our nation.

[Mr Reporter]

Africa is the richest continent in the world,  by mineral resources and population yet we're sinking in poverty all over the continent, while continent with little resources are milking in wealth,  it's as a result of quality leadership and not resources,  there is a poor management of the mineral resources in Africa by the African leaders,  they rather steal and collaborate with outsiders than to develop Africa like other continents. It's a leadership problem,  take Nigeria for example,  we have everything to be rich and live a good life, we have oil, gas, gold and many mineral products yet the people are very poor,while the leaders are living in luxury lifestyle in abroad, no good schools,  no roads, no good hospitals and poor transport system in the country. It's not about having Mineral resources It's about the leadership impact and training.

But do you know that good leaders in Africa have their own structure of problems too? Now you should understand that the global system has been designed to benefit only countries that process resources, not really that countries which only export raw materials….Yeah you are very right we the Africa are no to be rich in minerals resources but still do not have industries to refine them, our mindset might say it because of our government who are stealing the funds that correct but we are still lacking what we call the technology, capital, and historical disadvantages from colonialism.

And it would be so bad to just jump and judge only our leaders and still ignore that role of a citizen, just understand why most Nigeria youth with right mindset sell their votes and also celebrate corrupt politicians that sound so incompetent of such people….

[fruktik]

This is like a competition: who got robbed the most... Show me a non‑corrupt country? Even in the USA there is corruption, even in China! If you think that some country has no corruption, it means that corruption is simply well hidden. Corruption has existed, exists, and will always exist. As for peripheral countries, their problems are not only due to corruption but also to their predetermined place in the global economy. And the essence of it is that they are deliberately prevented from developing technologies and production. That is the reason. Corruption only contributes to maintaining this state of affairs.

So, who exactly is standing in the way of African countries' development? Is it some sort of global elite conspiracy? Or perhaps the issue lies not with them, but with the rulers who have been occupying the presidential seat for ages and refuse to let anyone else into power? The latter seems the most obvious explanation to me.

What is the problem with allocating some funds for the country's development? Is greed really so intense that they begrudge even a small amount of money for the nation?

Yes, corruption has existed, exists now, and always will. It is impossible to eradicate it completely, but keeping it in check is certainly feasible. There ought to be bodies tasked with curbing it. After all, some countries manage to pull this off somehow, don't they?

[viljy]

This is like a competition: who got robbed the most... Show me a non‑corrupt country? Even in the USA there is corruption, even in China! If you think that some country has no corruption, it means that corruption is simply well hidden. Corruption has existed, exists, and will always exist. As for peripheral countries, their problems are not only due to corruption but also to their predetermined place in the global economy. And the essence of it is that they are deliberately prevented from developing technologies and production. That is the reason. Corruption only contributes to maintaining this state of affairs.

So, who exactly is standing in the way of African countries' development? Is it some sort of global elite conspiracy? Or perhaps the issue lies not with them, but with the rulers who have been occupying the presidential seat for ages and refuse to let anyone else into power? The latter seems the most obvious explanation to me.

What is the problem with allocating some funds for the country's development? Is greed really so intense that they begrudge even a small amount of money for the nation?

Yes, corruption has existed, exists now, and always will. It is impossible to eradicate it completely, but keeping it in check is certainly feasible. There ought to be bodies tasked with curbing it. After all, some countries manage to pull this off somehow, don't they?

This is not a conspiracy of the elites. This is how the world works. Some countries prosper at the expense of others. The local elites in peripheral countries most likely keep their money outside their own country and are not interested in the development of their own country.

[fruktik]

This is not a conspiracy of the elites. This is how the world works. Some countries prosper at the expense of others. The local elites in peripheral countries most likely keep their money outside their own country and are not interested in the development of their own country.

And for what reason do they not keep their money in their own country? Do they fear that, sooner or later, a day of reckoning will come? A time when all their ill-gotten gains will be confiscated? That is the only way I can make sense of this rampant theft of public funds.

Do they really need to strip the country bare—down to its very underwear—to feel satisfied? What is the point of having so much money? What do they intend to do with it?

Indeed, as you wrote earlier, it all resembles a competition. It is as if they are placing bets on who among them can rob the population the most during their time in power.

[Prince patrick]

Our leaders doesn't want to stop stealing and that's why we haven't been able to progress, we have voted and elected too many greedy people into power, I won't blame the people that colonized or discovered us, but we should instead address the cockroaches in our cupboard, which is the bad leaders, they are the ones stealing all the resources. Africa isn't poor, God has blessed us with minerals that we can used to uplift and build our country. But we give power to the wrong people that lack vision, empathy, education and leadership that's why we are still not progressing and we should understand that we are the leaders of tomorrow, we should learn from everything happening now in the politics, we are the future and we shouldn't get greedy when it gets to our turn.

[Oyoyoma_yu]

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 is a continent that is filled with plenty of natural resources, but very backward in terms of development. In Africa you can find many minerals like gold, oil, Uranium Platinum, and many others. And any country with any of this natural resources is suppose to live a good life if it is properly managed. Now, the problem is poor management of these mineral resources, and also bad governance. Many African countries are very poor in industrialization, and if the facilities to manage these mineral resources are built and are properly managed the economy of Africa as a continent will grow. In the area of leadership, some leaders are ready to steal what belongs to a whole country or state just to enrich themselves, and thereby drag the progress of the country backward. These are some of the challenges that African countries are facing that made them look as if they are poor.