(a)Highlight three characteristics of manufacturing industries in Tropical Africa. (b) State three was by which manufacturing industries contribute to the e...

Answer Details

(a) Three characteristics of manufacturing industries in Tropical Africa

• They are mostly light industries that process agricultural and mineral raw materials (e.g. food processing, textiles, tanning) rather than heavy engineering.
• They are small in scale, with low capital investment and limited output serving mainly local markets.
• They are concentrated in a few large towns, ports and mining areas, leaving rural areas largely without industry.
• They depend heavily on imported machinery, spare parts and technical expertise.
• They are largely labour-intensive rather than highly mechanised.

(b) Three ways manufacturing industries contribute to economic development

• Employment: they provide jobs, reducing unemployment and raising incomes.
• Provision of goods: they supply manufactured goods locally, reducing dependence on imports and saving foreign exchange (import substitution).
• Foreign exchange earnings: export of processed goods brings in foreign currency.
• Government revenue through taxes and duties.
• Development of infrastructure (roads, power, water) and growth of towns around industrial centres.
• They add value to local raw materials and stimulate agriculture and mining.

(c) Four problems facing industrial development in Tropical Africa

• Shortage of capital for investment in machinery and plant.
• Inadequate power supply and unreliable electricity.
• Shortage of skilled labour and management and technical know-how.
• Small home markets due to low incomes and poor purchasing power.
• Poor transport and communication networks.
• Competition from cheaper, better-quality imported goods.
• Political instability and unfavourable government policies.