In recent years Sub-Saharan Africa has demonstrated an impressive level of economic growth. While the rest of world is suffering due to the economic crisis, analysts estimate that African economies are improving and have so far seen growth of around five per cent in the year 2011 and 4.5 per cent in 2012. This year these same analysts are expecting Sub-Saharan African economies to experience a similar level of growth at around 4.8 per cent, allowing for some of the much needed development in Africa in order for this continent to advance in the world and increase the financial prospects of its citizens.
UNDP’s Human Development Index
This continual trend with regard to economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has led to the discovery that a number of African countries have become some of the fastest climbers on UNDP’s renowned Human Development Index. This system evaluates important aspects which affect a country or continent’s development such as life expectancy, education and income.
Millennium Development Goals
The continent of Africa has also made good progress on a number of crucial Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This is demonstrated by statistics regarding the number of children currently in primary school education, an increased percentage of woman holding parliamentary positions, the income of the non-agricultural worker and a significant drop in the number of Aids/HIV sufferers. This being said, levels of poverty and unemployment, especially amongst the young, remain high.
Economic growth and unemployment
In order to facilitate economic growth the developing continent of Africa must find a way to present its citizens with greater working opportunities in order to increase the general well-being and decrease the number of people currently unemployed, and subsequently often living in poverty with little or no way to improve their fortunes. Africa’s growth must be centred around its own citizens in order to create a sustainable effect on the overall continent and on the individual lives of its inhabitants. There are several countries like Nigeria which economic boost is noticeable. Proof of this is the fact that a large amount of people in the country have mobile phones, computers and regularly use Internet, opening blogs, business and employment sites, and even shopping online! Some of the local online companies have even began to be very big and important. For example, Nigeria’s free classifieds website has an enormous amount of activity, and it’s facebook page is followed by over 40.000 people from all over the world.
Growth amidst persisting or emerging challenges
The continent of Africa has been plagued for many years by social and political upheaval, violence, economic volatility, climate change and demographic pressure. For this reason, this region’s efforts to meet further MDGs are regularly hindered by said events meaning that general development is delayed and even haltered. This therefore means that the continent often requires external support in order to combat these problems and provide food, water and shelter for its citizens.
External aid in Africa
The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) advocates change in Africa and is currently providing this troubled continent with knowledge and resources in order to help the citizens build a better life for themselves as well as for generations to come. The UNDP strives for sustainable development solutions and is working in Africa to empower woman, provide food and medical aid, schooling, housing and of course the knowledge to enable the people to build a better Africa for the future.
It is evident that the continent of Africa still has a long way to go in terms of development. However, with a little external help this region is demonstrating overall economic growth.
