What are the Economic problems facing East African countries today?

Answer 1

I once read the seven deadly sins of economic instability and the "poor" countries follow those traits and I just remember a few (it was some guy's West Point Theses) and I'll replace my ideas with the ones I forgot.
Anyways:
1. Low concern for education (lack of skilled workers).
2. Sexism/Racism
3. hiring friends and relatives rather than the people that can do the job (just look at Bush's former head of FEMA and how well he handled the Katrina disaster).
4. Religion/caste system in government/the work place/education (for instance Somalia).
5. Corruption/internal conflict
6. Lack of interest (once a **** always a ****)/sloth/lack of leadership

Answer 2

East African countries are the victims of history. While Western Europe was experiencing the Industrial Revolution throughout the nineteenth century, East Africa was isolated geographically, culturally, and technologically from the effects of this dramatic economic change.

As Europe -- and countries of European origin (United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealan) -- industrialized, East Africans were still nomads (many tribes in Ethiopia, Kenya, etc.), agriculturalists, or herders (Masai and Watusi).

Look at a world map. Any country that did not industrialize and adopt the capitalist economic system during the nineteenth century is now a second- or third-world country.

Moreover, from the mid-1800's until the end of World War II (1945) most of Africa was divided up as colonial possessions of the wealthy European nations. If you can find a 1930's map, you'll see "French West Africa," "Belgian Congo," "British Somaliland," "Anglo Egyptian-Sudan," etc. Europe used the African continent as a source of raw materials.

Even today, the World Bank will finance African projects that involve the production of raw goods, like rattan, but not the manufacture of rattan furniture.

Complicating the economic structure is rapid population growth. The highest rates of natural increase (births - deaths) are found in East African countries. For example, Kenya will double in population in about 17 years. Even if the economy were to double in the same time, people would be no better off than they are now. And, if the rich countries more than double in 17 years, the rich and poor will be even further apart.

And finally, we have to consider wars. There has not been a war between ANY industrialized countries in more than 60 years. That, is a world record.
However, in Africa, there is a continual pattern of war. Genocide is taking place as I write. Hutus are killing Tutsis, and Tutsis are killing Hutus. Why? Because they are Tutsis and Hutus.

In the distant past, France was always are war with some other country. Today, France is a major world power against all wars. In the early 1940's, Japan and Germany were in a bitter war with the United States and Great Britain. Today, all four are among the richest trading partners in the world.

Social Darwinists can make all the theoretical claims that they want about the value of competition; but look at the results of cooperation. That is what is lacking in East Africa, among its other problems.

Answer 3

I would like to also add that they all have an inadequate monetary policy.
But of course it's the lack of human capital what makes them poor.