International Issues The document discusses various political, social, economic, and health issues affecting development in Africa. It provides facts on each issue and discusses how they influence development, as well as other problems countries face. The issues covered include corrupt and incompetent governments, debt, trade barriers, education, HIV/AIDS, malaria, farming, bilateral and multilateral aid, and the work of organizations like the UN, WHO, UNICEF, and FAO. While progress has been made in some areas like reducing poverty and improving access to education and healthcare, huge challenges remain, particularly from issues like disease burdens and lack of education.

1. International Issues
The Politics of Development in Africa
In a topic entitled the Politics of Development it is important that you know a lot
about governance issues in Africa, whether African governments or outside
organisations such as the United Nations, African Union or individual countries.
Learn transferable facts so you’re ready for any question e.g. if you know three
problems affecting development you can answer a question about development.
But you could also use these points as a rebuttal to progress made by foreign aid.
Social Issues and Development
EDUCATION
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Education essential for development;
Debt limits progress as repaying it leaves
helps people get jobs, ensures they know less money to spend. Also countries
how to farm and look after themselves.
borrowing money from the World Bank
African countries with high school
have to follow conditions to get this
enrolment rates are richer e.g. 60% of
money e.g. in 2008, Zambia was forced
boys in Ghana go to primary school, but to make cuts in public services, resulting
only 10% in Somalia. Sub-Saharan Africa in 9000 teachers not being hired. Zambia
still has lowest primary school enrolment owes around $4 billion but spends only
in the world (MDG 2).
1.3% of its budget on education.
HEALTH (HIV/AIDS)
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
HIV/AIDS has a devastating impact on
Corrupt governments hurt too. This is
Africa; around 22 million Africans have
when politicians steal money, land or
the disease and 70% of world’s AIDS
resources for themselves, at the expense
cases are in Africa. AIDS causes huge
of the people. They may also use
development problems; it takes money
nepotism and hire friends or family e.g.
for healthcare; kills important workers
in Nigeria General Abacha spent 1-2% on
e.g. teachers, nurses; and it leaves
health and education and 20% on
millions of AIDS orphans. Nigeria has
military; stole $3 billion and left country
more than 3 million people with AIDS.
with world’s 17th highest AIDS rate.

2. HEALTH (MALARIA)
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Malaria is a huge killer (c.600,000 African Incompetent government makes these
children died in 2010). Malaria causes
problems worse. Governments may
development problems; takes money for spend millions on vanity projects,
healthcare and kills important workers
meaning less money for services and
e.g. teachers, nurses. Malaria can take
more debt e.g. Ghana’s government
up to 50% of hospital beds in affected
spent huge sums building roads in the
areas. 50% of school absences in Sudan
country’s interior when most people in
are linked to Malaria; in Ghana malaria
Ghana don’t have cars; however it has
takes about 30% of hospital resources.
only 15 doctors per 100,000 people.
Economic Issues and Development
DEBT
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Debt limits progress as repaying it leaves Lack of education not just about debt.
less money to spend. Also countries
Sub-Saharan Africa has lowest primary
borrowing money from the World Bank school enrolment rates in the world. If
have to follow conditions to get this
UN serious about meeting MDG 2 they
money e.g. in 2008, Zambia was forced
have to spend more money to provide
to make cuts in public services, resulting education, etc. HIV/ AIDS and Malaria
in 9000 teachers not being hired. Zambia hurt too e.g. 50% of school absences in
owes around $4 billion but spends only
Sudan linked to Malaria; diseases also
1.3% of its budget on education.
often passed on because of ignorance.
TRADE
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Trade is the best out of poverty for
Africa’s health problems hurt Africa
Africa; by growing crops for sale it will
trade more than unfair trade. The extent
allow Africans to develop their countries of HIV/AIDS and Malaria takes much
and get money to fund other things e.g. needed resources and kills workers such
health, education. But they often are up as farmers and factory workers. The
against unfair trade practices when they orphans they leave force remaining
try to do this e.g. the main export of Mali adults to look after them too. In Malawi
is cotton but USA cotton farmers get
it is believed their farming workforce will
subsidies so they can sell goods cheaper be 14% smaller by 2020 because of AIDS.
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3. FARMING
Influence on development/Facts
Farming can be a way out of poverty; it
grows food and allows farmers to sell
their goods (trade). But poor farming
practices such as deforestation and
overcropping hurt the land in Africa. This
is often caused by a lack of education
about how best to farm or a lack of
resources to pay for better equipment.
MDG 1 is about ending extreme hunger,
which farming is crucial for.
Other issues/problems
Corrupt government hinders progress
here by taking resources from the people
for the benefit of the government. In
Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe’s government
has seen the country go from one of the
richest in Africa to being famine-stricken.
In Nigeria General Abacha’s corruption
(stealing $3 billion) left the country with
huge debts and less for services like
education or farming improvements.
Political Issues and Development
CORRUPT GOVERNMENT
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Corrupt governments hurt. This is when Extent of AIDS problem means no
politicians steal money, land or resources government can tackle it. HIV/AIDS has a
for themselves, at the expense of the
devastating impact on Africa; around 22
people. They may also use nepotism and million Africans have it; 70% of world’s
hire friends or family e.g. in Nigeria
AIDS cases are in Africa. AIDS causes
General Abacha spent 1-2% on health
huge development problems; it kills
and education and 20% on military; stole important workers e.g. teachers, nurses;
$3 billion and left country with world’s
and it leaves AIDS orphans. Nigeria has
17th highest AIDS rate.
more than 3 million people with AIDS.
INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Incompetent government a big problem. Extent of Malaria problem makes it hard
Governments may spend millions on
to tackle. Malaria a huge killer (c.600,000
vanity projects, meaning less money for African children died in 2010). Malaria
health or education and more debt e.g.
takes money for healthcare and kills
Ghana’s government built roads in the
important workers e.g. farmers. Up to
country’s interior when most people in
50% of hospital beds in affected areas for
Ghana don’t have cars; however it has
Malaria; 30% of hospital resources in
only 15 doctors per 100,000 people.
Ghana spent on Malaria.
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4. WAR/ARMED CONFLICT
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
War causes huge development problems Lack of education a problem across
for Africa. It kills workers, destroys farms Africa, not just in war-torn countries.
and takes money from education for the Sub-Saharan Africa has lowest primary
military. Oxfam say war has cost Africa
school enrolment rates in the world. If
$300 billion over 15 years. It also stops
UN serious about meeting MDG 2 they
any form of trade and leads to no
have to spend more money to provide
functioning government e.g. in Somalia education, etc. HIV/ AIDS and Malaria
the lack of government means there is
hurt too e.g. 50% of school absences in
no central education system. Sudan’s
Sudan linked to Malaria; diseases also
war has caused problems too.
often passed on because of ignorance.
Foreign Aid - general
BILATERAL AID
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Bilateral aid is quick because it is
Incompetent government can negate
between two countries only (donor and benefit of aid. Governments may spend
recipient). The UK Government gives aid millions on vanity projects, meaning less
through DFID (Department for
money for health or education and more
International Development). DFID’s
debt e.g. Ghana’s government built
budget is just over £8 billion. It funds
roads in the country’s interior when
projects based on countries in most need most people in Ghana don’t have cars;
and is mostly spent in Africa. DFID
however it has only 15 doctors per
funded 260 wells in Ghana (MDG 1 & 7). 100,000 people.
MULTILATERAL AID
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Multilateral aid allows many countries to Extent of AIDS problem means no aid can
invest money, giving a higher amount
tackle it. HIV/AIDS devastating in Africa;
(although it can cause disagreements
around 22 million Africans have it; 70%
about how to spend it). The United
of world’s AIDS cases are in Africa. AIDS
Nations coordinating money as well as
causes huge development problems; it
aid efforts through its agencies e.g. WHO kills important workers e.g. farmers; and
funded an HIV/AIDS treatment project in it leaves AIDS orphans. Nigeria has more
5 countries including Botswana.
than 3 million people with AIDS.
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5. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION AID
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
NGO aid is good because it is fast and
Extent of Malaria problem makes it hard
goes straight to the villages, reducing
for any NGO to fix. Malaria a huge killer
chances for corruption. NGOs often raise (c.600,000 African children died in 2010).
the profile of extreme poverty e.g. Sudan Malaria takes money for education and
famine. UK NGOs include Oxfam and
kills important workers e.g. farmers. Up
Save the Children e.g. StC work in Sudan to 50% of hospital beds in affected areas
on various projects including healthcare for Malaria; 30% of hospital resources in
services and providing vaccinations.
Ghana spent on Malaria.
Foreign Aid – The United Nations
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
WHO is the UN’s health agency. WHO
HIV/AIDS is still a huge problem in Africa;
tackles HIV/AIDS in Africa by investing in around 22 million Africans have the
HIV prevention and works to stop child
disease and 70% of world’s AIDS cases
infections. Tackling HIV/AIDS is MDG 6.
are in Africa. AIDS causes huge
WHO runs the African HIV-AIDS palliative development problems; it takes money
care project, working in five countries
for healthcare; kills important workers
(Botswana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania e.g. teachers, nurses; it leaves millions of
and Zimbabwe); includes community
AIDS orphans. Nigeria has more than 3
care facilities and disease education.
million people with AIDS.
UNICEF
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
UNICEF is the UN’s aid agency which
Still huge work to do. Education
aims to help children and their mothers; important to get jobs, improve farming,
it mostly does this through education
better health, etc. African countries with
and health services. UNICEF had a $3.3
high school enrolment rates are richer
billion budget in 2008; it works in 43
e.g. 60% of boys in Ghana go to primary
African countries. UNICEF ran the ‘Go to school, but only 10% in Somalia. Subschool, Stay in school’ project in Uganda Saharan Africa still has lowest primary
aimed at helping 1.3 million children; it
school enrolment in the world (MDG 2).
provided education materials, health
Diseases hurt too e.g. 50% of school
supplies and teacher training.
absences in Sudan linked to Malaria.
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6. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
The FAO aims to improve access to food Corrupt government hinders progress
throughout the world (MDG 1). It does
too, taking resources from the people. In
this by providing tools and education to
Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe’s government
farmers. This also helps by providing the has seen the country go from one of the
chance for farmers to grow extra crops
richest in Africa to being famine-stricken.
which can be traded. FAO spends $216 in In Nigeria General Abacha’s corruption
43 African countries, including a project (stealing $3 billion) left the country with
in Kenya to help local farmers collect
huge debts and less for services like
rain water for their crops.
education or farming improvements.
Foreign Aid – Non-government organisations (NGOs)
GOOD AT DEVELOPING SMALL-SCALE PROJECTS
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
One NGO benefit is that they give money Still huge work to do. Sub-Saharan Africa
direct to villages and local groups. This
has lowest primary school enrolment in
helps limit government corruption. NGOs the world (MDG 2). Education important
work across Africa in various projects,
to develop economy. African countries
choosing this based on need and
with high school enrolment rates are
experience e.g. Scottish NGO SCIAF
richer e.g. 60% of boys in Ghana go to
works in Burundi providing funding for
primary school, but only 10% in Somalia.
schools and also farm education; it also
Diseases hurt too e.g. 50% of school
provides basic education in Sudan.
absences in Sudan linked to Malaria.
CAN REACT QUICKLY TO PROBLEMS
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
Another NGO benefit is that they react
HIV/AIDS is still a huge problem in Africa;
quickly when problems arise; this means around 22 million Africans have the
work can be done to stop a bigger
disease and 70% of world’s AIDS cases
problem developing. Save The Children
are in Africa. AIDS causes huge
worked in Sudan because of a refugee
development problems; it takes money
crisis; within one month of being invited for healthcare; kills important workers
the charity moved into the Darfur area
e.g. teachers, nurses; it leaves millions of
and set up health services including
AIDS orphans. Nigeria has more than 3
HIV/AIDS care and health education.
million people with AIDS.
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7. DEAL WITH VILLAGES DIRECT
Influence on development/Facts
Other issues/problems
An NGO benefit is that they focus on
Extent of Malaria problem makes it hard
small-scale projects which provide direct to tackle. Malaria a huge killer (c.600,000
help to villages. This stops wasteful
African children died in 2010). Malaria
vanity projects some governments run.
takes money for healthcare and kills
Christian Aid run various African health
important workers e.g. farmers. Up to
projects e.g. schemes in Nigeria and
50% of hospital beds in affected areas for
Uganda to provide 250,000 anti-malaria Malaria; 30% of hospital resources in
nets to stop the disease spreading.
Ghana spent on Malaria.
The Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are a list of eight targets agreed by the UN in
2000 to tackle poverty around the world by 2015. The table below lists the goals and
details some progress towards them based on the 2011 Progress Report.
MDG
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Target
End extreme poverty
and hunger
Achieve universal
primary education
Tackle gender
inequality
Reduce child
mortality
Improve maternal
health
Combat malaria,
HIV/AIDS
Create a better
environment
Increase aid and
tackle debt problems
Progress
Overall global poverty is falling; by 2015, 15% of
world will live in poverty, below 23% target
Sub-Saharan Africa has seen biggest access
increase, (up 18% between 1999 and 2009)
In poor countries in 1999, 88 girls went to
primary school for every 100 boys; in 2009 96
girls go to primary school for every 100 boys
Child mortality (under 5s) fallen from 12.4 million
in 1990 to 8.1 million in 2009
Big drop in number of women dying whilst giving
birth; 34% drop between 1990 and 2008
Drop in the number of new HIV/AIDS cases each
year; 21% fall in sub-Saharan Africa since 1997
Sub-Saharan Africa has doubled people using a
good drinking water source (up to 492 million)
Extra funding focused on tackling malaria; 20%
reduction in new cases between 2000 and 2009
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8. The Politics of Development in Africa
Past Paper questions
2012
Assess the effectiveness of foreign aid in promoting development.
2011
“Education and health care are the most important factors in achieving
successful development in Africa”. Discuss.
2010
“The United Nations Organisation (UNO) has been effective in
promoting development.” Discuss.
2009
Assess the influence of Non Governmental Organisations on
development.
2008
Assess the importance of education and health care to successful
development.
2007
“Foreign aid alone is no guarantee of development.” Discuss.
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