(a) Name two examples of local craft and two of manufacturing industries in Tropical Africa (b) Outline any five factors which affect the location of manufa...

(a) Examples of industries in Tropical Africa

• Local crafts (two): hand-weaving of cloth (aso-oke, kente) and leatherwork; also pottery, wood-carving, blacksmithing and cane/basket weaving.
• Manufacturing industries (two): textile mills and cement manufacture; also food and beverage processing, brewing and vehicle assembly.

(b) Five factors that affect the location of manufacturing industries in Tropical Africa

1. Raw materials: industries that use bulky or perishable materials (cement, food processing) are sited near their source.
2. Power/energy supply: industries locate where electricity (e.g. from hydro dams) or fuel is available and reliable.
3. Transport: good roads, railways and ports attract industry by easing the movement of materials and finished goods.
4. Market: firms settle in or near large towns where there is a big population to buy the products.
5. Labour and capital: availability of cheap or skilled workers and of investment funds influences where factories are built. (Also water supply and government policy.)

(c) Three problems facing manufacturing industry in the sub-region

1. Shortage of capital and skilled labour, which limits the setting up and running of modern factories.
2. Inadequate and unreliable power and infrastructure, raising costs and interrupting production.
3. Small local market and low purchasing power, plus competition from imported goods, which restrict the growth of local manufacturing. (Also dependence on imported machinery and raw materials.)