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

(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.