This is a document about African studies and all the challenges it faces today

1. CHALLENGES
FACED BY AFRICA
TODAY
BY JUBILEE MANESWA 210313
TADIWA MWENJE 210384

2. CONTENT COVERED
INTRODUCTION
CHALLENGES FACED BY AFRICA
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES
CONCLUSION

3. INTRODUCTION
❖ Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent in the
world. The youngest of the continents, it is home to a wide range of
ethnicities, cultures, and languages. The continent must deal with the
toughest obstacles because of all these characteristics.
❖ Amongst others, major challenges faced by Africa include poverty, poor
education, ill health and hunger

4. 1. POVERTY
❖ Poverty is described as not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing
and shelter.
❖ The World Bank Organization describes poverty as : “. Poverty is lack of shelter and nutritious
food”.
❖ The poverty rate in Africa has dropped in recent years, rapid population growth means that the
number of people suffering poverty keeps growing from 280 million in 1990 to an estimated 330
million in 2012
❖ About 30 million more Africans fell into extreme poverty (living on less than US$1.90 a day)
when COVID-19 broke out in 2020. Before the pandemic struck, over 445 million people –
equivalent to 34% of Africa’s population lived below the poverty line.
❖ Nigeria, Lesotho, Madagascar, and Zambia had poverty levels comparable to China, Vietnam and
Indonesia in the 1990s. However, while the last three countries have drastically reduced extreme
poverty, African countries haven’t.

5. 1. POVERTY
❖ Africa’s inability to reduce its high extreme poverty rate has been attributed
to numerous factors including :
➔ The over-reliance on natural resources for growth instead of agricultural and
rural development, which characterises 85% of Africans’ livelihoods.
➔ The higher initial poverty levels coupled with low asset ownership and
restricted access to public services also make it difficult for households to
take advantage of growth.
➔ Bad governance, corruption, high-income inequality, and high population
growth rate also drive-up poverty.

6. Possible solutions to reduce poverty in Africa
❖ Eliminating poverty through equity
➔ The systemic barriers that lead to groups of people going without representation in their communities
leaves them further behind in terms of resources and opportunity
➔ For a community, or even a country, to alleviate poverty, all groups and identities must be involved in
creating solutions.
➔ By equality, we mean that every person must have an equality of results versus equality of resources.
This may mean additional resources for the furthest behind, to ensure that they have all they need to
succeed
➔ For example : BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) and BBBEE (The Broad-based Black Economic
Empowerment Act) implemented in South Africa to achieve equality.

7. Possible solutions to reduce poverty in Africa
❖ Eliminating poverty through education
➔ According to UNESCO, if all students in low-income countries had just basic reading and
writing skills (nothing else), an estimated 171 million people could escape extreme poverty
➔ If all adults completed secondary education, we could cut the global poverty rate by more
than half
➔ Education develops skills and abilities, corrects some of the imbalances that come out of
marginalization, and decreases both risk and vulnerability.
➔ Some of the key areas of focus for making sure that education is truly for all involve
breaking down the barriers to education:
★ creating access to school in remote areas
★ supporting teachers in their work to deliver quality education
★ making sure that education is available to children living in fragile contexts.

8. Possible solutions to reduce poverty in Africa
❖ Eliminating poverty through ending hunger (and thirst)
➔ Simply eating three meals a day and getting a healthy amount of calories and
nutrients can go a long way to breaking the cycle of poverty
➔ When a person doesn’t have enough to eat, they lack the strength and energy
needed to work
➔ Contaminated water can lead to debilitating illnesses.
➔ Adequate healthcare options for all goes together with this solution and represents
a larger need for governments to offer the basic social protections and services to
keep their citizens healthy and give them affordable treatment options when they
aren’t and return.
➔ Adequate basic commodities (nutritious food and clean water) would result in a
society that is strong enough to create a living for themselves.
➔ Initiatives to ending hunger include soup kitchens and community gardens

9. 2. POOR EDUCATION
❖ Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of education exclusion globally, according to the UN.
❖ Education is considered a universal human right, as well as an issue of public good and
responsibility. However, there are still many — particularly children in developing African countries
— who do not enjoy this right.
❖ 9 million girls on the continent between the ages of 6 and 11 will never attend school, compared
to 6 million boys. By the time they reach adolescence, girls have a 36% exclusion rate compared to
32% for boys.
❖ Some countries lack proper school structures, and many are dilapidated. It is still common for
schools in some African countries to lack basic commodities such as toilets, desks, or even chairs.
Further some students are forced to travel ridiculously long journeys to attend school.
❖ Differing attitudes towards the value of formal education is another major problem. Scepticism of
Western style learning and the belief that girls don't need an education compounded with regional
instability have created a challenging environment for learning to thrive.
❖ The consequences of youth prematurely dropping out of school are severe and long-lasting, with
many often trapped in a vicious cycle of unemployment and poverty

10. Possible solutions to reduce poor education
❖ Poor education is closely linked to poverty therefore to improve the quality of education,
initiatives that reduce the impact poverty has on education should be implemented such as:
➔ Cash transfers to poor families, with eligibility linked to school attendance, can help to counter
the effects of poverty on the quality of education. Such a programme has been successfully
employed in Mexico, where it both improved enrolment and average years of schooling
achieved.
➔ Early childhood nutrition programmes can ensure that children are physically prepared for
school. Children damaged by malnutrition are more likely to start school late, learn less, and to
drop out. In Kenya, for example, a relatively cheap deworming programme improved school
attendance by seven percentage points.
➔ Ensuring that schools have the necessary teachers, resources and infrastructure is essential. In
Colombia, a programme to improve the quality and relevance of education significantly reduced
dropout rates. Flexible timing of classes can also reduce the indirect costs of sending children to
school.
❖ Many experts say that the cycle of poverty simply can’t be broken unless children receive
education.

11. 3. ILL HEALTH
❖ Health outcomes are worse in Africa than anywhere else in the world, even though life
expectancy at birth has risen and chronic child malnutrition has declined since the mid-
1990s.
❖ Approximately 1.6 million Africans died of malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV-related illnesses in
2015. These diseases can be prevented or treated with timely access to appropriate and
affordable medicines, vaccines, and other health services.
❖ However, less than 2% of drugs consumed in Africa are produced on the continent, meaning
that many sick patients do not have access to locally produced drugs and may not afford to
buy the imported ones.
❖ Without access to medicines, Africans are susceptible to the three big killer diseases on the
continent: malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Globally, 50% of children under five who die
of pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are in Africa, according to
the World Health Organisation (WHO).

12. 3.ILL HEALTH
❖ It is common practise for some nurses to give painkillers to sick patients as a
“treat-all drug. With most medicines unavailable, the nurses have little choice.
❖ About 80% of Africans, mostly those in the middle-income bracket and below,
rely on public health facilities, reported the World Bank in 2013. With public
health facilities suffering chronic shortages of critical drugs, many patients die
of easily curable diseases
❖ Several factors inhibit access to medicines, but the major ones, according to the
WHO, are the shortage of resources and the lack of skilled personnel
❖ “Low-income countries experience poor availability of essential medicines in
health facilities, substandard-quality treatments, frequent stock-outs and
suboptimal prescription and use of medicines,” reported the world health body.

13. Possible solutions to reduce ill health
❖ Improve the Doctor-Patient Ratio :
➔ African Epidemiological Association report points out that Africa is a continent that suffers one-
quarter of the world’s diseases, but just had just 3% of the doctors as of 2016 to treat them.
➔ YSJOURNAL also mentions in one of its reports that the lowest ratio of healthcare workers to the
population is found in Africa. These facts shed light on the continent’s indeed in a crisis that needs
immediate attention not only from the governments of African countries but also from the entire
world.
❖ Combat the Brain Drain Phenomenon
➔ Retaining public health workers in Africa by offering them benefits and attractive salaries and better
career opportunities may reduce the migration rate.
❖ Better Medical Education
➔ Literacy is also one of the factors that are challenging African countries. According to UNESCO, on
average, only 61% of adults in Sub-Saharan can read and write.
➔ This issue can improve by providing better education and opening up more intuitions for students, not
to mention identifying the right talents to head several departments attached to public healthcare.

14. Possible solutions to reduce ill health
❖ Increase the Budgetary Allocation
➔ According to the data from the World Bank of Sub-Saharan Africa, only spend
around 6% of their GDP on health, and this is a severe bottleneck to
development.
❖ Incorporating Technology into Healthcare
➔ Adapting digital platforms for quick and efficient supply-chain management,
doctor-patient interactions, complete patient monitoring software, and so on are
required to treat patients efficiently.
❖ Setting up Research and Development Centres
➔ It is high time that African countries start implementing innovations in the
healthcare industry. More funds and resources should be allocated to help
professionals deal with tackling problems related to health.

15. 4. HUNGER
❖ In Africa, one in five people faced hunger in 2020. The number of hungry people
continues to rise.
❖ Conflict, drought, and economic woes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic are reversing
years of progress
❖ Conditions are deteriorating across East Africa, where 7.2 million people are at risk of
starvation and another 26.5 million face acute food insecurity. At least 12.8 million
children in the region are acutely malnourished.
❖ Further south, successive crop failures, low rainfall and poor harvests in Angola,
Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are taking a toll on agriculture production, and food
prices are soaring.
❖ Other areas suffered widespread destruction from Cyclones Idai and Kenneth in March
and April 2019, near the time for harvesting.
❖ Drought, poor harvests, and instability create a cycle of poverty and hunger that’s difficult
to break.

16. Possible solutions to reduce hunger
❖ Ways to overcome the root causes of hunger and malnutrition:
➔ Food assistance, including emergency feeding and cash vouchers
➔ Diagnosis and treatment of maternal and child malnutrition
➔ Access to clean water and improved sanitation to prevent water-related
diseases and support crop irrigation
➔ Training in improved agriculture techniques and help for farmers to diversify
livelihoods
➔ Land rehabilitation to improve harvests

17. Political Challenges Faced by Africa
1. Corruption is a major political challenge faced by many African countries. Corruption
undermines democracy, stifles economic growth and limits foreign investment.
2. Economic inequality: Corruption undermines economic growth and development by
diverting resources away from productive uses and towards the pockets of corrupt
officials and their associates. This contributes to widespread poverty and economic
inequality.
3. Ethnic and tribal conflict: Many African countries are characterized by ethnic and tribal
diversity, and conflicts between different groups often erupt into violence.
4. Weak institutions: Many African countries have weak political institutions, including
ineffective judicial systems, corrupt police forces, and weak electoral systems.
5. Authoritarianism: Many African countries are ruled by authoritarian leaders who stifle
opposition and limit civil liberties.
Overall, addressing these challenges requires strong leadership, investment in
infrastructure and institutions, and a commitment to democratic values and principles.

18. Solutions to the political issues faced
1. Strengthening democratic institutions: Building strong democratic institutions, such as an
independent judiciary, free press, and electoral commission, is crucial for promoting
democracy and political stability. This includes ensuring their independence and
autonomy, providing adequate resources and training, and establishing effective
accountability mechanisms.
2. Promoting good governance: Promoting good governance, including transparency,
accountability, and responsiveness, can help to build public trust in government
institutions and promote political stability.
3. Addressing corruption: Tackling corruption through the implementation of strong
anti-corruption laws and regulations, promoting transparency, and strengthening
institutions such as anti-corruption agencies, can help to reduce the incidence of corrupt
practices and promote good governance.
4. Resolving conflicts: Addressing conflicts and tensions between different ethnic and tribal
groups through dialogue, reconciliation, and conflict resolution mechanisms can help to
promote peace and stability.
5. Investing in infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and
hospitals, can help to promote economic growth and development, and reduce poverty
and inequality.
6. Promoting regional integration: Promoting regional integration and cooperation, such as
through trade agreements and the establishment of regional organizations, can help to
promote political stability and economic growth

19. Economic Challenges Faced by Africa Today
1. Poverty and Inequality: Africa has some of the highest levels of poverty and inequality in
the world, with many people living below the poverty line. This is often exacerbated by
limited access to education, healthcare, and other basic services.
2. Unemployment: High levels of unemployment, particularly among young people, is a
significant economic challenge in Africa. This is due to a lack of job opportunities, limited
access to education and training, and a mismatch between the skills of the workforce
and the needs of the job market.
3. Limited Industrialization: Africa's economy is heavily dependent on natural resources,
which can be subject to price volatility in the global market. Limited industrialization and
diversification of the economy means that many African countries are vulnerable to
economic shocks.
4. Infrastructure Deficits: Inadequate infrastructure, including poor road networks, limited
access to electricity and water, and poor internet connectivity, poses a significant
economic challenge in Africa. This limits economic growth and development, and hinders
trade and investment.
5. Trade Barriers: Africa faces significant trade barriers, including high tariffs, non-tariff
barriers, and a lack of infrastructure to facilitate trade. This limits economic integration
and hinders trade with other regions, including within Africa itself.
6. Debt Burden: Many African countries are heavily indebted, which limits their ability to
invest in critical infrastructure and social services, and undermines economic growth and
development.

20. Solutions to the economic challenges
1. Investment in critical infrastructure: Africa needs significant investment in critical
infrastructure, such as transportation networks, power systems, and
telecommunications, to promote economic growth and development. This includes
attracting foreign investment and utilizing public-private partnerships.
2. Industrialization and diversification of the economy: African countries must move away
from being solely dependent on natural resources and focus on developing their
manufacturing and service sectors. This includes promoting entrepreneurship,
developing local industries, and creating incentives for foreign investment.
3. Trade facilitation: Reducing trade barriers, such as high tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and
developing regional trade agreements can promote trade within Africa and with other
regions. This includes investing in infrastructure to facilitate trade, such as ports,
railways, and airports.
4. Job creation: Promoting policies that support job creation, such as education and
entrepreneurship training, can help to address unemployment in Africa.

21. Social Challenges Faced in Africa Today
1. Poverty and Inequality: Poverty is one of the major social challenges faced in Africa, with
many people living below the poverty line. This is often exacerbated by limited access to
education, healthcare, and other basic services. Inequality is also a major issue, with
disparities in income, education, and access to resources between different regions and
social groups.
2. Health: Health is a significant social challenge in Africa, with high rates of communicable
diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as non-communicable
diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Limited access to healthcare services, poor
nutrition, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure exacerbate these health challenges.
3. Education: Education is critical for social and economic development, yet many African
countries struggle to provide access to quality education. Limited resources, poor
infrastructure, and inadequate teacher training are among the factors that contribute to
low literacy rates and poor education outcomes.
4. Hunger: Hunger often leads to malnutrition, which can have significant impacts on
physical and cognitive development, particularly in children. Malnutrition weakens the
immune system and increases the risk of diseases. Hunger contributes to poverty by
limiting people's ability to work and earn an income. Poor nutrition can also reduce
productivity and lower life expectancy, which can exacerbate poverty

22. Solutions to the social challenges :
1. Investing in education: African countries can invest in education by increasing funding for schools, improving
teacher training and support, and expanding access to education for all. This can help to address issues such as
poverty, inequality, and conflict, by providing people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
2. Promoting gender equality: Gender equality is critical for social development, and African countries can promote
this by implementing policies that support women's rights, increase their access to education, healthcare, and
economic opportunities, and promote gender-sensitive legislation.
3. Addressing health challenges: To address health challenges, African countries can invest in healthcare systems by
increasing funding, improving infrastructure, and expanding access to services. Additionally, implementing programs
to promote healthy behaviors, such as nutrition education and disease prevention, can help to reduce the burden of
disease.
4. Investing in sustainable development: To address environmental challenges, African countries can invest in
sustainable development practices, such as renewable energy, responsible resource management, and conservation of
natural resources. This can help to protect the environment, while also promoting economic growth and social
development.
5. Increasing access to food and addressing hunger: African countries can address hunger by investing in agriculture,
expanding access to credit and other resources for smallholder farmers, and promoting policies that support food
security. Additionally, implementing programs to address malnutrition and improve access to healthcare can help to
reduce the impacts of hunger

23. CONCLUSION
❖ It is evident that poverty breeds dire consequences. At the root of all the major challenges faced by
Africa lies poverty. What is more, all the challenges bred by poverty are interlinked to each other.
Poverty leads to poor education, ill health, and hunger amongst various other challenges. Other
challenges Africa continues to face include, economic, social and political issues
❖ Conversely, all these challenges caused by poverty lead to more poverty and other challenges if not
acted upon and ultimately creates a vicious cycle of MORE poverty, hunger, ill health and poor
education that is extremely difficult to break.
❖ There are various possible solutions that can assist Africa to combat the challenges it continues to
face today including creating awareness in communities, donations and funds from those in positions
to do so, providing clean water and nutritious food,, promoting entrepreneurship to create
employment and stimulate economic growth, and prioritizing education especially amongst the
youth.