“Africa is not poor, its resources are just being mismanaged” is a quote that has been repeated by African leaders and world leaders alike for a long time now. The abundance of natural resources all over the African continent truly has the ability to improve the living standards of so many of the continent’s inhabitants; however, there are still millions of Africans all over the continent living in poverty. The reason there is still so much poverty within Africa is a result of the corruption present in so many of Africa’s governments.
Rather than the governments using the vast amount of wealth raised through the mining of natural resources to invest in ways to improve the livelihoods of all their citizens, the funds are used to enrich members of the ruling class for their own gain. Often, the term “endemic corruption” is used to describe the state of many African governments, meaning, at many levels all over the government, civil servants are more concerned about getting their cut of the pie than serving their constituents.
This corruption continues to have devastating effects on the economic progression of many African nations, holding them back from developing at a quicker rate and leaving millions of Africans destitute as a result. This lack of economic progression, as a result of corruption, manifests itself in various ways, such as:
- Lack of Investment in Infrastructure
The lack of investment in infrastructure is one of the most visible manifestations of the massive amount of corruption present in many of our governments. All one has to do is look around to see it in its physical form. This manifests itself in a lack of road infrastructure, unstable electricity, lack of access to clean drinking water, etc. It is an unfortunate reality that even in the modern day, in many areas around Africa, many inhabitants lack access to stable electricity. This lack of investment in vital infrastructure needed for any nation to function effectively has cascading effects on the entire country’s economy and serves as the root cause for many of the other problems listed below.
- Lack of Employment Opportunities
Due to the lack of infrastructure investment, the costs associated with owning and operating a business increase substantially. For example, operating a business will be much more expensive if you have to pay extra money to buy a generator and fuel just to power your business’ electricity. Many of the extra associated costs have the potential to make operating a business unprofitable, therefore businesses are not created, which in turn, causes there to be a lack of job opportunities for many. Africa’s youth especially bear the brunt of this issue, as they deal with the massive amounts of youth unemployment around the continent.
- Lack of Foreign Investment
In a more globalized world, more and more businesses have branches all over the world. However, due to the mass amount of corruption and poor business conditions, companies around the world may be less likely to invest in many African countries. We have seen examples of this in Nigeria over the last few years, as various international organizations have packed their bags as business conditions have become increasingly untenable in the country.
- Brain Drain
Additionally, the phenomenon of brain drain exacerbates the challenges faced by African nations. Talented individuals, including skilled professionals and academics, often seek opportunities abroad due to limited prospects and unfavourable conditions at home. This loss of this vital human capital further undermines efforts for the economic growth and development of African nations.
Addressing the issue of corruption is crucial for unlocking Africa’s full potential and fostering sustainable growth and development. It requires comprehensive reforms, including strengthening our institutions, promoting transparency and accountability, and fostering a culture of integrity at all levels of governance. Only through concerted efforts to combat corruption can Africa overcome the obstacles hindering its progress and realize its aspirations for a brighter future.
