Question

Answer the following in not more than 150 words.

Africa has immense natural resources, and yet it is industrially the most backward continent. Comment.

Answer 1

Although Africa has natural resources in abundance in terms of its land resources, its forest and water resources, its mineral and energy resources, the most important component to transfer these into usable form- the human resource- is not well developed. All the characteristics that mark an industrially developed nation are lacking. The following discussion would make it amply clear why Africa remains industrially backward.

• Specialisation of skills/methods of production: African industries still use primitive methods of production, which result in low yields. Lack of adequate training and opportunities forces most African states to have low-skilled human capital, and most of the workforce remains unskilled.
• Mechanisation and Technological innovation: A low level of mechanisation leads to a cut in the production level, and as the industries in Africa are generally not connected with the other competing industries in the world, sharing of technology does not take place on a greater scale, and therefore innovation, which is important for the progress of industries, does not take place.
• Organisational structure and stratification: A high level of organisation and an efficient division of labour are essential for the thriving of giant enterprises. They lack in the said continent.
• Access to markets and raw materials: For basic industries, it is important that raw materials are easily accessible to production facilities, and that finished goods have easy access to markets. This, however, is lacking due to the absence of a good transport network, effective communication facilities, and international markets.
• Access to labour supply: Although Africa is quite populous and blue-collar workers are available aplenty, skilled labour is in short supply, which further strains industries on managerial and technological fronts.
• Government policy: Because of the political turmoil in most African nations, a long-term, healthy government policy for industrial progress is lacking, making it a push factor for foreign multinationals to invest in these areas. This, in turn, acts as a deterrent to the formation of agglomeration economies, which are vital for the sharing of technological innovation across industries.
• Transportation facilities: The development of modern industries requires well-developed transportation linkages, so that agglomeration economies can be created. Also, it is necessary for the development of a trading network at both the national and international levels. Africa lacks adequate development of a network of highways, railways and airways.