The Development in Africa: The State of development, Wins and Misses

Abstract

Africa is abundantly rich in natural resources, including timber and various minerals such as gold, gas, coal, copper, diamonds, uranium, and chromium. These valuable resources are widely distributed across the continent, making Africa a significant holder of sought-after commodities globally. Nevertheless, many African nations experience minimal benefits from these resources. To assess the development status in Africa, it is crucial to identify the factors contributing to underdevelopment and propose relevant policy measures. The research utilized an exploratory design, collecting both primary and secondary data from nine countries at varying levels of development. The development landscape in Africa is diverse. For instance, Seychelles is categorized among High-Income Countries, while nations such as Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa fall into the Upper Middle-Income bracket. Conversely, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, and Burundi are classified as Lower-Income countries. Despite Africa's rich natural resources, a youthful and educated population, a supportive culture, a resilient society, and a burgeoning middle class that could potentially enhance market growth, the continent faces significant challenges. These include inadequate leadership and governance, insecurity and civil conflicts, corruption, weak institutions, the enduring impacts of slavery, cycles of poverty, limited human resources, widespread diseases, and a reliance on debt and aid, all of which hinder progress. An econometric model developed in this study illustrates the connection between policy frameworks and economic development in Africa. Key policy shifts identified as impactful for driving development include industrialization, cooperation and economic integration, fiscal discipline, entrepreneurship, population growth management, and export promotion. In contrast, initiatives like import substitution and self-sufficiency in food security, although recognized, were found to be less significant in contributing to development.

Key words: Economic Development, GDP, governance and Integration,

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/16-8-06

Publication date: December 30^th 2025