Why is Africa Still Poor? Exploring the Root Causes of Poverty

This report delves into the complex factors contributing to poverty in Africa. It examines the impact of civil wars and terrorism, widespread corruption, ineffective health and social care services, the gap between education and financial knowledge, and unfair international trade practices. The report highlights the need for comprehensive solutions to address these multifaceted challenges and promote sustainable development in the continent.

Why are people poor in Africa?

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
1. Civil Wars and Terrorism........................................................................................................4
2. Intensive and deep-rooted Corruption.....................................................................................4
3. Ineffective Health and Social Care Services...........................................................................5
4. The Gap between Education and financial Knowledge...........................................................6
5. International Unfair Trade Practices........................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8

Introduction
Africa is the second largest and populous continent in the world. The continent includes various
countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa etc. in its geographical boundaries. The
report will discuss and converse on various factors that have led towards the underdeveloped
social and economies conditions of the continent. The report will identify and profess on reasons
such as lack of education and financial knowledge of the local communities regarding the
business and trade operations. The report will further discuss ineffective health and social care
services along with corruption in brief.

1. Civil Wars and Terrorism
Civil Wars and Terrorism act as the greatest barrier towards the growth and development of the
economy in Africa. These activities disconnect the locals and the business activities from the rest
of the world. Further, these conditions give birth to deaths, injuries, disabilities and lastly poor
economic conditions. According to a recent research and survey conducted by Global Terrorism
Index, 2015 in Nigeria the criminal Boko Haram Insurgency has recorded 100, 000 deaths since
it emerged. The activities have misbalanced the status-quo between the social and economic
conditions for the nation.
(Source: Africanexponent, 2017)
2. Intensive and deep-rooted Corruption
The levels and conditions of corruption in the African countries are alarming. According to the
Transparency International, the senior level, and government authorities developed to foster the
welfare and development of the citizen are highly involved in corruption leading to unsatisfied
citizens and local communities (Africanexponent, 2017). The police and civil security
organizations are identified the most corrupted from the lot followed by the government and

legislative authorities. The political conditions further contribute to greater levels of bribing and
corrupted authorities are recognized in the African countries.
(Source: Africanexponent, 2017)
3. Ineffective Health and Social Care Services
Another major driving factor towards the link between poverty and Africa is ineffective health
and social care services. The African countries lack quality healthcare infrastructure and services
immensely. The poor living conditions for a majority of the local communities and societies have
contributed towards poor and ill health on a large scale (Anyanwu, 2012). The local people are
not provided with basic amenities and services which lead to applying ineffective and poor
sanitary mediums for their daily purposes. The lack of well equipped and developed health and
social care infrastructure has led the country towards a doom in the health and social care sector.

(Source: Africanexponent, 2017)
4. The Gap between Education and financial Knowledge
As the recent research and surveys conducted by UNESCO, the lack of literacy and basic
electuary schooling is as high as 42% in the year 2015. The African counties are unable to afford
even the basic education for the youth and the children in the continent. The major reason being
the schools are located in remote areas far away from the local villages and communities’
residential areas. The children are forced to walk miles to avail the education and thus the
majority of them are unable to attend the basic elementary school and education services.
5. International Unfair Trade Practices
The developed countries such as the European unions, the United States, the United Kingdom
etc. have developed and adopted numerous unfair trade practices and policies that have
hampered the growth and development of the African business and industries. These developed
countries have established policies and trade agreements that protect their regional sectors such
as the agricultural sector that can be overcome and composited by the African countries (Beegle,
et. al., 2016). The international market conditions and exchange are not in favour of the African
countries and thus exports are not facilitated in these nations.

Conclusion
The above discussion concludes on the notation that the African countries are lagging behind in
the economic and social growth and development due to various factors. The discussion
identifies corruption, lack of education and social care, economic disparities etc. as some of the
major driving factors. The discussion has drawn light and provided insights into the statics and
data for developing an effective understanding. The discussion can be concluded by highlighting
the involvement and participation of the national and international organisations to support and
eradicate the socio-economic evils from Africa.

References
 Anyanwu, J.C. (2012). Accounting for poverty in Africa: Illustration with SURVEY Data
from Nigeria. African Development Bank Group. Working, p.149.
 Beegle, K., Christiaensen, L., Dabalen, A., & Gaddis, I. (2016). Poverty in a rising
Africa. World Bank Publications. Africanexponent. (2017). 7 Top Reasons Why Africa Is Still Poor, 2017. [Online].
Africanexponent. Available at: https://www.africanexponent.com/post/billions-lost-in-
profits-by-foreign-companies-tax-evasion-1953. [Accessed: 16.03.2018]