BISHOP STUART UNIVERSITY

NAME: NUWAGIRA GERALD BOUNS

REG NO: 22/BSU/BASS/2042

FACULTY: BUSINESS ECONOMICS & GOVERNANCE

COURSE UNIT: POLITICS IN AFRICA

YEAR: TWO

SEMESTER: ONE

LECTURER: MR. MUHANGI HERBERT

Coursework question

a) Write and explain the causes of under development setting in Africa.

b) What could be done to address the challenges of under development?
 a)

Underdevelopment refers to the low level of development characterized by low real per capita
income, wide-spread poverty, lower level of literacy, low life expectancy and underutilization of
resources etc. The state in underdeveloped economy fails to provide acceptable levels of living to
a large fraction of its population, thus resulting into misery and material deprivations. Such
countries are characterized by relative development gap in comparison to developed countries.

Underdevelopment, in the context of international development, reflects a broad condition or

phenomena defined and critiqued by theorists in fields such as economics, development studies,
and postcolonial studies. Used primarily to distinguish states along benchmarks concerning
human development such as macro-economic growth, health, education, and standards of living
an "underdeveloped" state is framed as the antithesis of a "developed", modern, or industrialized
state. Popularized, dominant images of underdeveloped states include those that have less stable
economies, less democratic political regimes, greater poverty, malnutrition, and poorer public
health and education systems.

There are a lot of causes that have led to under development in Africa which are social political
and economical in nature. However, below is a detailed discussion of the different causes of
under development setting in Africa as explained below;

Corruption

One of the biggest problems in Africa today is corruption. Corruption can take many forms, and
it might be challenging to understand what counts as corruption and what doesn’t. The problem
is that impoverished African governments can’t invest enough money into health care, education,
infrastructure, etc. They need to use their already scarce resources on corruption, such as paying
public officials salaries or funding more projects.

Excessive Regulation

Many African countries have laws and regulations that make it hard for businesses to succeed (or
even do business) throughout the continent. While these measures are designed to improve safety
and the standard of living, they often have the opposite effect because they are poorly
implemented or too strict. The good news is that African leaders are aware of the problems in
Africa today. They are gradually making improvements to make it easier for African countries to
develop and become more competitive worldwide.

Unemployment

Unemployment is the phenomenon of joblessness in an economy. African countries today are

still faced with the issue of high rate of unemployment. This is traceable to poor governance and
poor management of the economy. Another reason for unemployment is over population. This
still revolves around the economy because it simply suggests that African economy is incapable
of catering for its population. Nigeria is considered the giant of Africa because it is the most
populated in Africa. Being the most populated is no longer an achievement; rather it is the
capacity to contain the population, looking at the height of our economy. Africa currently
experiences what is known as brain drain.

Education

Government in African states have shown little or no investment in the education sector or the
countries. Capable brains in African countries have been deprived of smooth education system as
a result. This is the height of underdevelopment in Africa.

Dependency

African countries suffers from dependency syndrome. Most African states are incapable of
surviving independently. Dependency is different from interdependency. While interdependency
is so much encouraged, dependency should not be heard of a sovereign state. Even after
colonialization and secession of African countries, the countries are yet faced with what is
known as neocolonialism. Neocolonialism is the control or domination by a powerful country
over weaker ones, especially former colonies, by the use of economic pressure, political
suppression and cultural dominance.

Technology

African countries are backward when it comes to technological advancement and innovations.
Technological advancement is another benchmark for ascertaining the level of development of a
country. Poor technological advancement of Africa is manifest in all sectors such as health,
agricultural, educational and other sectors of the economy.
Debt load

One important aspect of Africa’s underdevelopment is its high debt load. The debt from the
continent’s colonial past was passed down to newly independent countries as a historical legacy.
High debt servicing expenses can take a sizable chunk of a nation’s budget away from essential
public services like healthcare and education. This reduces fiscal flexibility and the capacity to
effectively handle crises or shocks in the economy.

Limited Access to financing

Africa’s growth is hampered in a big way by its limited access to financing. Finding finance and
financial services is difficult for many local residents and companies. This stifles investment,
inhibits entrepreneurship, and constricts economic expansion. In addition, a lack of financial
resources may force a person to rely on illegal and unsafe financial channels, which may be
expensive and dangerous.

Crimes

African countries are notorious for crimes. The state paves the way and issue reasons foe
commission of crimes while the citizens then go ahead to commit the crime. Certainly, there is
no society without crime, even the most developed countries. However, the ability of a state to
contain its crime rate is a notable mark for development.

Disasters

There is no African country without crises, ranging from terrorism, political crises, banditry, etc.
the conflict in Tigray region of Ethiopia has led the country into famine. The conflict resulted
from political unrest pertaining to the governance of the Northern region. Crises also include
health crises. Many African countries had at one point or the other struggled to contain one
disease and the other. Diseases such as Ebola Virus, Bubonic plague, the most recent covid 19
pandemic and many more.

Poor government policies

Many African governments have implemented policies that prevent the continent from
developing. These governments have often been responsible for economic crises and political
instability. Many Governments either fail or refuse to sustainably solve domestic problems, such
as poverty, unemployment, and hunger.

This is because African countries often lack the resources to govern themselves effectively.
There are many civil servants in some African countries where the state is involved in every
aspect of society. The result is terrible management or even incompetence because corruption
hinders good governance.

Insufficient infrastructure

Most African countries have insufficient infrastructure. This refers to roads, railways, and
airports that are not adequate to allow trade or tourism. It’s also about having an electricity grid
that allows the population to use appliances like washing machines and computers. The lack of
infrastructure in Africa today is a significant obstacle to development because it limits people’s
ability to do business across borders. This means there are fewer opportunities for work, which
leads to unemployment and poverty throughout the continent.

High Levels of Illiteracy

Although many African countries have compulsory primary education, this does not apply to
secondary and tertiary education. Many parents do not send their children to school because they
need them to work and contribute to the economy. Many African countries also have problems
with teachers who are not adequately trained or paid enough money. Students do not receive
proper lessons and can’t get a good education.

Unfavorable business conditions

Many African businesses operate under trying conditions. On the one hand, many countries have
a limited stock of natural resources and business opportunities for investors. On the other side,
African companies face high taxes and high-interest rates, poor infrastructure, and insufficient
access to financial services such as loans and credit cards.

Insufficient Skilled Labor

Another cause of underdevelopment in Africa today is the lack of skilled workers. Most African
countries do not have enough qualified teachers, doctors, engineers, etc., so many Africans
cannot offer their services in these parts of society. There are often too few job opportunities for
well-qualified professionals to make a living in Africa today, so they must look elsewhere. This
shortage also means that education and health care in Africa is often unsatisfactory.

Lack of Political will

This is one of the significant causes of underdevelopment in Africa today. Many African
governments are not fully committed to using the resources available to improve living
conditions throughout the continent. This means that much-needed international aid money
intended for development is misappropriated and used dubiously, or there may be a lack of
investment in necessary infrastructure.

b)

Under development in Africa will only end when African leaders do more to improve living
conditions by working together and making political progress.

These are all ways that Africans can help fight underdevelopment in Africa today. These steps
will also lead to more opportunities for Africans throughout the continent with time.

Worldwide, several organizations support African development. These organizations provide

training for children in Africa, help create job opportunities, improve road safety, encourage
good governance, and much more.

In addition to supporting these organizations, which help Africa today, you can support African
countries by making an effort to buy and use products and services from the continent (or from
Africans living in other countries).

Africans need to be more involved in improving living conditions throughout the continent. They
should make an effort to support good governance, create job opportunities, and ensure that they
earn enough money for their families by working hard or starting their own businesses.

Keeping people out of poverty. Helping people to get out and stay out of poverty is our primary
focus helps eradicate poverty, such as by creating decent jobs and livelihoods, providing social
safety nets, boosting political participation, and ensuring access to services like water, energy,
healthcare, credit, and productive assets.
Governance for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. People’s lives are better when government
is efficient and responsive. When people from all social groups are included in decision-making
that affects their lives, and when they have equal access to fair institutions that provide services
and administer justice, they will have more trust in their government.

Crisis prevention and increased resilience. Crises know no borders and Africans can reduce these
risks by supporting countries and communities to better manage conflicts, prepare for major
shocks, recover in their aftermath, and integrate risk management into their development
planning and investment decisions. The sooner that people can get back to their homes, jobs, and
schools, the sooner they can start thriving again. Resilience building is a transformative process
of strengthening the capacity of people, communities, institutions, and countries to prevent,
anticipate, absorb, respond to and recover from crises. By implementing this Signature Solution,
we focus on capacities to address root causes of conflict, reduce disaster risk, mitigate and adapt
to climate change impacts, recover from crisis, and build sustainable peace.

Environment: nature-based solutions for development. Healthy ecosystems are at the heart of
development, underpinning societal well-being and economic growth. Through nature-based
solutions, such as the sustainable management and protection of land, rivers and oceans, we help
ensure that countries have adequate food and water, are resilient to climate change and disasters,
shift to green economic pathways, and can sustain work for billions of people through forestry,
agriculture, fisheries and tourism.

Clean, affordable energy. People can’t prosper without reliable, safe, and affordable energy to
power everything from lights to vehicles to factories to hospitals. And yet, 840 million people
worldwide have no access to electricity, and 2.9 billion people use solid fuels to cook or heat
their homes, exposing their families to grave health hazards and contributing to vast
deforestation worldwide.

Women's empowerment and gender equality. Women’s participation in all areas of society is
essential to make big and lasting change not only for themselves, but for all people. Women and
girls make up a disproportionate share of people in poverty, and are more likely to face hunger,
violence, and the impacts of disaster and climate change. They are also more likely to be denied
access to legal rights and basic services.
Improved transportation networks can enhance economic activity. Investment in roads, railways,
ports, and airports facilitates the movement of goods and people. For instance, the Mombasa-
Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya has enhanced connectivity and trade.

Investing in education helps build a skilled workforce. Countries like Rwanda have made strides
in improving their education systems. The government implemented policies to increase school
enrollment, literacy rates, and the quality of education.

Improved healthcare infrastructure and access to basic health services contribute to a healthier
and more productive population. Initiatives like the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR) have helped combat HIV/AIDS in several African countries.

Enhancing agricultural productivity through modern farming techniques, technology adoption,

and irrigation can lift many out of poverty. The Green Revolution in Ethiopia, which focuses on
increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability, is an example of such initiatives.

Strengthening institutions, combating corruption, and ensuring good governance are essential.
Botswana has been cited as an example of good governance in Africa, with stable political
institutions and effective anti-corruption measures.

Attracting foreign aid and investment can stimulate economic growth. The African Union's
Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) seeks to attract investment for critical
infrastructure projects to promote economic development.

Embracing technology and innovation can drive economic growth. Kenya's mobile money
service, M-Pesa, has revolutionized financial services and increased financial inclusion,
particularly in rural areas.

Conclusion

Africa is gradually catching up with other continents in terms of development and it is quite
commendable the efforts being put in by leaders all over Africa. However, there is still plenty of
work to be done. There are no quick fixes to the problems created by underdevelopment in
Africa but gradual steps are to be taken to achieve the desired result.
References

Rodney, Walter; Babu, A. M; Harding, Vincent (1981). How Europe underdeveloped Africa.
Washington, D.C.: Howard University Press. ISBN 0882580965.

McMichael, Philip (2012). Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective. Thousand
Oaks: Sage. pp. 26–54.

W. Rostow, Walt (1960). The Stages of Economic Growth in Africa: A Non-Communist

Manifesto.

Seligson, Mitchell (1990). "The Five Stages of Growth" In Development and

Underdevelopment: The Political Economy of Global Inequality. Boulder and London: Lynne
Rienner Publishers. pp. 9–16 – via PDF.

Irogbe, Kema (Spring 2005). "Globalization and the Development of Underdevelopment of the
Third World". Journal of Third World Studies. EBSCO Information Services. 22 (1): 41–68.
Archived from the original on 2013-04-14. Retrieved 23 June 2014.(subscription required)