It is well known that Africa as a whole is very poor when compared with the rest of the world. There are lots of factors because of this. Among them is the shortage of technology in Africa, the exporting of resources, and the lack to keep Africa's smartest citizens within its borders. These reasons are all related and can intertwine in a domino effect. Below, these reasons are going to be highlighted and shed light on how they can be reversed.
Exporting of Raw Materials
Africa has long been taking its raw materials and shipping them to other countries. In exchange for these raw materials, money is exchanged. In theory this money would go into technology and training so the raw materials could be refined inside the country. That is not happening in Africa, it is being spent on fancy cars and homes instead.In essence, Africa is helping develop the rest of the world at their expense. The people exporting the materials are simply keeping the money with no regard for others or the country's future. Inevitably, this will lead to all of the raw materials in Africa being gone with zero to show for it apart from a select elite class.
Brightest Citizens Moving Abroad
The lack of technology affects Africa in other ways as well. The bright minds of Africa see no future there, and elect to move abroad to further their careers. How can Africa move forward when its smartest citizens are leaving? It is said that one in three college educated Africans live and work outside of Africa. It could be said that Africa's most valuable export is its people. If Africa as a whole made a commitment to do whatever it requires to keep its brightest minds within its borders, great ideas would begin in Africa instead of the rest of the world.
Lack of Technology in Africa
Africa has been slow to move into the information age, slowed by staying committed to the agricultural age. It can be argued argued that Africa's lack of standard education is what has slowed the pace in continue with the rest of the world's technology. And even Africa's agriculture is affected by the lack of technology. As machinery becomes more complex, it becomes much more complex to repair. The parts and installation costs rise and the farmers are not always able to satisfy these costs. A solution to this would be setting up centralized repair and technology centers where not just could farmers get their machinery repaired, but also learn how to make the repairs themselves. An investment in linking the continent via the internet can help speed the transfer of this information as well, as well as quickly bring new information into Africa.
Hopefully, Africa can make a commitment to keep up with the rest of the world in the information age. The spirit of the African people is incredible, if the tools can be established for them to succeed, they will have no issues in developing their nations.
Exporting of Raw Materials
Africa has long been taking its raw materials and shipping them to other countries. In exchange for these raw materials, money is exchanged. In theory this money would go into technology and training so the raw materials could be refined inside the country. That is not happening in Africa, it is being spent on fancy cars and homes instead.In essence, Africa is helping develop the rest of the world at their expense. The people exporting the materials are simply keeping the money with no regard for others or the country's future. Inevitably, this will lead to all of the raw materials in Africa being gone with zero to show for it apart from a select elite class.
Brightest Citizens Moving Abroad
The lack of technology affects Africa in other ways as well. The bright minds of Africa see no future there, and elect to move abroad to further their careers. How can Africa move forward when its smartest citizens are leaving? It is said that one in three college educated Africans live and work outside of Africa. It could be said that Africa's most valuable export is its people. If Africa as a whole made a commitment to do whatever it requires to keep its brightest minds within its borders, great ideas would begin in Africa instead of the rest of the world.
Lack of Technology in Africa
Africa has been slow to move into the information age, slowed by staying committed to the agricultural age. It can be argued argued that Africa's lack of standard education is what has slowed the pace in continue with the rest of the world's technology. And even Africa's agriculture is affected by the lack of technology. As machinery becomes more complex, it becomes much more complex to repair. The parts and installation costs rise and the farmers are not always able to satisfy these costs. A solution to this would be setting up centralized repair and technology centers where not just could farmers get their machinery repaired, but also learn how to make the repairs themselves. An investment in linking the continent via the internet can help speed the transfer of this information as well, as well as quickly bring new information into Africa.
Hopefully, Africa can make a commitment to keep up with the rest of the world in the information age. The spirit of the African people is incredible, if the tools can be established for them to succeed, they will have no issues in developing their nations.
Posts
