(a) Account for the relative low level of industrial development in tropical Africa (b) State five ways in which the industrial sector has contributed to th...

(a) Reasons for the relatively low level of industrial development in tropical Africa

• Shortage of capital: Most tropical African countries are poor with low per capita incomes and weak savings, so there is insufficient investment capital to establish and expand heavy industries.
• Inadequate power and energy supply: Electricity generation is irregular and insufficient, and many rural areas are not connected to the national grid, which discourages the siting of factories.
• Low level of technology and few skilled workers: There is a shortage of engineers, technicians and trained managers, and the region depends heavily on imported machinery and expertise.
• Small and low-income domestic market: Widespread poverty means low purchasing power, so demand for manufactured goods is small and cannot support large-scale industry.
• Poor transport and infrastructure: Bad roads, limited railways and inadequate port facilities raise the cost of moving raw materials and finished goods.
• Political instability and unfavourable policies: Frequent changes of government, insecurity and inconsistent economic policies scare away both local and foreign investors.
• Concentration on primary production: Colonial and post-colonial economies were geared toward exporting unprocessed raw materials rather than manufacturing them locally.
• Competition from imported goods: Cheaper and better-quality manufactured goods from industrialised countries out-compete local products.

(b) Five ways the industrial sector has contributed to economic development of the region

• Employment: Industries provide jobs to many people, thereby reducing unemployment and raising incomes.
• Revenue and foreign exchange: Taxes on industries and the export of manufactured goods earn government revenue and foreign currency.
• Provision of goods and reduced imports: Local manufacture of consumer goods reduces dependence on imports and saves foreign exchange.
• Development of infrastructure: The establishment of industries stimulates the building of roads, power supply, water and communication facilities.
• Growth of towns and other sectors: Industries encourage urbanisation and support agriculture (through processing) and mining (through demand for raw materials).