AFRICA IN THE GLOBAL WORLD

NATURAL RESOURCES Africa rich in natural

resourcesOil, natural gas, gold,

diamonds, platinum, chromium, timber

Industries employ roughly 2 million people (total population: 922 million)

OIL Oil may be key

to Africa’s economic future

Top Producing Countries:1. Nigeria2. Algeria3. Angola4. Libya 5. Sudan

DIAMONDS, GOLD, & OTHER MINERALS

50% of world’s diamonds come from Africa

50% of world’s gold mined in South Africa

Major source of wealth

BLOOD DIAMONDS

PROBLEMS Little money reaches average citizen Government or few individuals gain

wealth

Has led to countless wars/conflicts

Very little industry on continent, resources shipped to other areas

CASH CROPS 60% of people in Africa are farmers Most are subsistence farmers Cash crops are focused on Coffee, cocoa, rubber, cotton

FAMINE/STARVATION

NONEXISTENT INDUSTRY Least industrialized continent When building factories, most

international companies look for:1. Political stability2. Well educated population3. Good Infrastructure4. Stable source of electricity

These factors are extremely rare in African countries

Massive potential workforce

HEALTH PROBLEMS IN AFRICA Disease is major

hindrance to economic development

Medication prices add burden to already poor areas

HIV/AIDS22.9 million people living

with HIV/AIDS (2/3 of world total)

Tuberculosis, Malaria

HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA

OTHER PROBLEMS IN AFRICA

Famine Desertification Corrupt governments Constant conflict/war

AFRICAN UNION (AU) Established in 2002

54 members, work to improve political, economic conditions