How much aid has been given to Africa since decolonization?

Question

How much aid has been given by developed nations, charities, and celebrities? Has it had any effect? I've heard that economically speaking, Africa was better under colonization, that it was once self sufficient in food production, and now is a net importer. What can be done to help Africa and how much should be done by Africans?

Answer 1

I don't have any exact numbers, but here goes:
The fact that Africa isn't self-sufficient is really sad, but the same could be said of any developing nation (I realize that Africa isn't a nation, it's a continent, but you get the point) because in general, it's full of natural resources (precious stone, fertile land, etc.). The problem, as I see it, is that many areas are war-ridden, so it's extremely difficult to get aid to those that need it. The human rights atrocities that go on there are unbelievable. The first step is to solve that problem because an economy simply cannot be stable under those conditions.

Colonization had good and bad aspects. As the previous person said, there were problems that were rectified, but it also created a lot of problems (such as the racist attitudes generated by apartheid, and the genocide between the Hutus and the Tutsis) that persist to this day. The people that are fighting are in the minority, but the tend to be the ones in power (the ones with the guns) so there is little hope for everyone else. Uncorrupted governments need to be established as well as other infastructures.

The most effective programs are ones that help move toward self-sufficiency. There is a saying: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. I'm a firm believer in this. I'm against just giving out food and other things as a long term solution (although it is necessary for the time being). Education programs are the best way to help people. Teach people how to farm efficiently, read, write, prevent diseases, etc., and you've already won half the battle. I equate lack of education (especially about basic things we take for granted) with wasted potential. Imagine how much the WORLD would benefit from Africa (and any other developing nation) becoming industrialzed (or at least self-sufficent). There would be no need to give aid, and their increases in productivity would be a major financial gain for everyone.

African people who have the means do need to take responsibility for helping each other, but there are certain situations where people need help from others. And if we can help, then why shouldn't we? It would even benefit us financially in the end.

Answer 2

You're correct. Most of the roads and public works infrastructure that was built by the French, Dutch, British, etc, are in disrepair. Life was better for most Africans under colonial rule. For example, the French drained an entire swamp that had been causing malaria epidemics in parts of Africa for decades.

Your question does not have a short answer; but in an attempt to give one----- possession of private property, and the ability to take out loans to start your own business are essential to growth at a micro level.

If there is no incentive to start a business, there is no incentive for growth, no matter how much top-down money the government invests.

The person who won the Nobel this year has successfully structured loans to people in 3rd world countries to start their own businesses and the results have been amazing.

What is needed by Africans is the political and legal structure to support private property.

The West was lucky, we kind of stumbled upon it.

Answer 3

First, you could't decide others till you've walked a mile of their footwear. i'm surprised at how little is commonplace and how speedy those who do no longer understand are speedy to evaluate. First - maximum of those suffering aren't to any extent further suffering because of inhabitants. If that became the case, China and India will be only as undesirable off. There are those that starve and wade through everywhere consisting of the US. Africa became the finest continent to be ruled by using different international places. some international places as early because the mid 1900's. Africa is a wealthy continent in case you check out this is organic components. From oil to diamonds. what's protecting an excellent type of the continent in poverty is the taking of those components and the wealth no longer being dispensed to this who want it maximum. you ought to keep in innovations at the same time as those governments that ruled Africa left, they spread out a way for those with potential (both interior Africa and out) to pass in for those components. Corruption runs rampant in maximum international places and taking its components and exploiting its human beings want to renounce. authentic democracy desires to flourish (the persons want to regulate the governments as well as components) yet as long as greed is permitted to flourish, this is going to under no circumstances take root. once you get a threat, you ought to all watch Blood Diamond. this is going to offer a contact of what's fairly taking place lower than the exterior. by using how, for evaluation, Israel receives more desirable in militia help than the entire continent of Africa.