(a) Highlight any three characteristics of manufacturing industries in Tropical Africa (b) State four ways by which manufacturing industries contribute to t...

Answer Details

(a) Characteristics of manufacturing industries in Tropical Africa

• They are dominated by light industries such as food processing, textiles, soap and beverage production rather than heavy engineering.
• Most are primary/agro-based processing industries that add value to raw agricultural and mineral products (e.g. palm oil milling, cotton ginning).
• Industries are few, small-scale and unevenly distributed, concentrated in a few large towns, ports and capital cities.
• They rely heavily on imported machinery, spare parts and skilled expertise from outside the region.
• They are largely import-substitution industries producing consumer goods for the local market.

(b) Ways manufacturing industries contribute to economic development

1. Employment generation: they create jobs for skilled and unskilled labour, reducing unemployment.
2. Income and revenue: they raise workers' incomes and provide government revenue through taxes and duties.
3. Foreign exchange: exported manufactured goods earn foreign currency, while local production reduces import bills.
4. Value addition: they process raw materials into finished goods, raising the value of local resources.
5. Infrastructural growth: they stimulate development of roads, power and communication, and encourage growth of allied industries.

(c) Problems facing industrial development

1. Shortage of capital for investment and expansion.
2. Inadequate power supply and poor infrastructure (roads, water, communication).
3. Shortage of skilled manpower and low level of technology.
4. Small home market caused by low purchasing power and poverty.
5. Competition from cheaper, better-quality imported goods, and political instability.