Why Africa is so Poor (Hint: It isn’t Colonialism)

Colonialism isn’t the only reason Africa is poor. It isn’t even the primary reason. Here’s the real reason why Africa is the poorest continent in the world.
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[Oletitptip]

As Kenyan I will tell you our biggest problem with Africa isint colonialism it's poor leadership / corruption we lack nothing but good leadership !

[essaboselin]

An old boss told me of her time working on contracts for projects in Africa. They had to add a certain percentage to cover the bribes necessary to have the bid even considered. Then they had to factor in the cost for future bribes, for locals stealing the supplies, for damages caused by local workers being drunk on the job, for "inspection" fees from the local gangs ...

[maxlilly]

Africa must take their destiny into their own hands. Stop corruption, exploitation and puppets politicians.

[foxbat]

Zimbabwean here, Africa is poor because we are not hardworking and don't promote innovation. Corruption is or example of laziness of Africans. My opinion on successful countries is that they made it through hard work.

[SaxonsGlory]

I am 66 years old, a white male and spent more than 40 years in Botswana. During that time, I travelled extensively through Africa and wherever I went, I was appalled at just how little the countries had managed to do anything whatsoever for their people. Instead, their leaders were well and truly aboard the gravy trains that ensured their own wealth at the expense of their people. Botswana is known as the "Switzerland" of Africa and is a shining light as to how, one of the poorest countries in the world, adapted and grew into an economic and political masterpiece, since the 30th September 1966. As a child, I too stood in the Gaborone National stadium that day shouting Pula, along with the proud Motswana people and I praise Sir Seretse Khama and those leaders who have followed him, for the wisdom and vision, that has seen the emergence of a Botswana, free of corruption and racial hatred. It is truly, the gem of Africa.

[thebreakdown]

I'm South African and live in South Africa. I have traveled and worked throughout Africa. I have worked in the really poor parts of South Africa too for an organization called Afrika Ticcun which attempts to uplift poor Black people. Just one of many incidents I've encountered. An organization decided to build a community center in an impoverished area. They were donating this absolutely free to the community. As work got going a delegation of locals visited and demanded 35% of the value of the contract be paid to them in cash otherwise the building will be burned down and any workers(all workers were Black) who attempted to continue the project, would be murdered. This happened on numerous similar projects. This is what happens with aid sent to Africa. Everyone and his mother demands their "fair" share before maybe 2% reaches the poor on the ground.

[Dave-siim]

My dad was in the Royal Marines and served for over two years in Africa. He would scoff at so called racism in the West and would say, "If you want to see racism go to Africa, because no one treats a black man worse than another black man". When I was a kid and often my school would be doing something charitable for Africa, he'd refuse to donate and say, "Until you sort out corruption giving to Africa is pointless". You say this these days and you'd be considered a racist, but was he

[joelle]

The amount of crime and corruption in Africa is unreal. Had a friend who went to Africa as part of a cultural exchange. When they landed at the airport the security guards would not let them through unless they paid the equivalent of £100 per person for the “legal entry fee” they did pay the money but if it had been me I’d have just got the plane back home…

[PInkW]

I had an Uber driver from Africa. He is doing great in the USA. He told me his dad died in Africa. Some distant relatives came to his house with guns and told the family to get out and they took the dads house. I said can’t u go to court ? He said no. Pretty crazy

[ocarinaplaya]

Anecdotally there was a guy who posted his experience online when he was working as a missionary in one of the southern african countries. His main takeaway was the sense of entitlement that africans had whenever someone started to become successful. Whenever a guy was able to make a lot of money his relatives would ask, demand and threaten him to share. Whenever the missionaries gave out food the households that got the most food (due to having more members) would be hounded by their neighbors.

It might be a symptom of the marxist "limiting personal wealth" thing that these people are predisposed to demanding handouts. We see it in western countries and I see it daily in my own community.

[natetaylor]

I always just assumed it was rampant corruption (aggravated by poor climate in large chunks of the continent)...and that 'colonialism' was used as an excuse to deflect accountability!

[redf]

I remember about a water pump being installed by a charity for a village. When the charity finished and went away the village leader dismantled the pump and sold the metal for money.

[Comments-vcjg]

I met a Nigerian in the USA. I asked him “how would the Nigerians feel if one of your own made it big in tech and became a billionaire…….and decided to come back to Nigeria and invest in developing an industry (like tourism or tech)?” He told me that it would never work since the people would fight over who was getting jobs and who wasn’t. They’d blame the billionaire because he was “trying to further enrich himself”. He had ZERO faith in his OWN people! 😢

[stacyscott]

The United States was once a colony. If you go far back enough England was a colony of the Roman Empire. Your past doesn’t determine your future. The present does.

[Breitie]

As an African by birth I put forward these factors for the lack of progress on that continent: poor education, poor work ethic, tribal conflicts and never ending civil wars, avaricious leaders, lack of ambition and vision.

[Krasnov]

Corruption, a lack of both basic transport and banking systems, ingrained political instability, and an international reputation for dishonesty spring to mind.

[etienneterblanche]

I'm South African, in our case corruption that's entrenched in almost every facet of society, the economy, the government, etc, is the main culprit. However, it doesn't stop there, there's also the mindset of Africa to look towards the past, there's very little planning for the distant future, colonialism is still blamed for almost everything. I have yet to hear an African politician say:"I was wrong, I made bad choices." African politicians don't lead, they "mislead". Also the tribalism that's still to this day very much part of most of the continent. Even when the African electorate get the chance at free and fair elections, they somehow mostly elect the worst of a bad lot. Those Africans who reach the pinnacle of their trade, often as medical professionals, engineers, etc, are simply so disillusioned with a hopeless situation, they leave for Europe or America where they don't have to be under the yoke of stupid politicians, but have the freedom to reach full potential. Finally, if colonialism was so at fault why is Liberia and Ethiopia, both never colonized, no better off, why is Haiti, not on the continent of Africa, but about 99% descendents of African slaves, independent for almost 200 years, now a failed state and also the poorest country in the Western hemisphere?

[THEonionsack]

Imagine a world where intellectual giants like Thomas Sowell were revered as much as fraudulent grifters like Ibram X. Kendi.

[SantiagoVeraLoor]

Corruption and greed is the main reason why Africa is still poor

[jay-byse]

britan was a Roman colony, the USA was also a British colony, Canada, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Colombia, California, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina... All colonies. So just being a colony isn't the reason. The people and how they reacted to it are the reason..if Africa was left alone, it would still look the same. People need to build their own countries and work together. That just doesn't happen in Africa.