Chapter 2:Industrial Development in Africa

Keywords

Manufacturing industries

Heavy industry

Economic diversification

Raw materials

Rural-urban migration

Pollution

Exports

products

light industries

consumer goods

primary goods

industrial goods/ producer goods

After studying this chapter, you should be able to;

know the meaning of manufacturing industries.

understand the factors that influence the distribution and development of any three manufacturing industries

understand the effects of manufacturing industries on the environment

understand the use of energy resources in the development of manufacturing industries in Uganda or the rest of East Africa

Visit a local factory to find out how it works and its effects on the environment minimum wage

Appreciate the contribution of manufacturing industries in transforming primary products

Understand the benefits manufacturing industries can bring to African countries

Understand the problems of developing manufacturing industries in African countries

Study, through research, examples of areas with manufacturing industries

Draw a map showing important industrial areas in Africa

Appreciate why many African countries are trying to develop manufacturing industries.

Introduction

Did you know that most of the goods you use in your daily life are manufactured or processed by industries? Is there any manufacturing industry near your home or school? What does it manufacture?

In this chapter, you are going to understand the importance and difficulties of industrial development in Africa. You will also know the main types of industries that have been developed on the continent and their distribution.

Manufacturing Industries in Africa

In Senior Two, you learnt about the development of manufacturing industries in East Africa. You also learnt that manufacturing industries process raw materials into finished goods. Which manufacturing industry do you remember and what does it process? After doing task 26.1, you will understand the types of manufacturing industries in Africa.

Activity 26.1 Describing the types of manufacturing Industries in Africa

In groups, use the knowledge gained from studying the development of manufacturing industries in East Africa in Senior Two and do the following tasks.

1 What do you understand by the term manufacturing industries?

2 Describe the types of manufacturing industries.

3 Identify the goods manufactured by each type of industry mentioned in (2).

4 Present your work to the rest of the groups through a discussion.

You have learnt that manufacturing industries are classified according to the goods they process or manufacture. You have also found out that some manufacture light goods and others manufacture heavy goods.

Factors influencing the development and distribution of manufacturing industries in Africa

In Senior Two, you learnt that the development and distribution of manufacturing industries in East Africa are influenced by several factors. Which factors do you remember?

Similarly, the development and distribution of industries in Africa is influenced by several factors. After doing tasks in activity 26.2, you will be able to understand the factors that influence the development and distribution of manufacturing industries in Africa.

Figure 26.1: Things contributing to the development and distribution of manufacturing industries

1 Identify what is shown in the photograph A-D in Figure 26.1

2 How do the things which you have identified in (1) influence the distribution and development of manufacturing industries in Africa?

3 What other factors influence the distribution and development of manufacturing industries in Africa?

4 How are energy resources used in developing manufacturing industries in East Africa specifically Uganda?

5 Share your work with the rest of the class through a discussion

You have learnt that the development and distribution of manufacturing industries is influenced by factors such as the presence of power, good government policies and the presence of raw materials.

Major Industrial areas in Africa

You now know that East Africa has a number of industrial areas distributed throughout the region in different countries. Which industrial area do you remember? Similarly, Africa has a number of industrial areas distributed throughout the continent.

4 Swap your work with your neighbour and comment on each other’s work.

5 Present your work to the rest of the class through a discussion.

Africa is becoming one of the most respected continents due to its growing economies and sectors. Countries like Nigeria, Angola and South Africa are experiencing large growth in their economies due to working industries and growing sectors.

Many sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique have enjoyed high levels of sustained growth. This growth has been broadly based across different sectors of the economy, with industrial output doubling within a decade in several cases.

Benefits of manufacturing industries in the development of African countries

You have probably realised that manufacturing industries can lead to the development of a country. In Senior Two you noted that industries play an important role in the development of a country.

Which benefits do you recall? After doing tasks in activity 26.4, you will understand the benefits of manufacturing industries to African countries.

Activity 26.4 Understanding the benefits of manufacturing industries in development

In groups, carry out a textbook or internet research on the benefits of manufacturing industries and do the following tasks.

1 What are the benefits of manufacturing industries to the development of African countries?

2 Write your findings in your notebooks

3 Present your work to the teacher for further guidance.

You have learnt that manufacturing industries have led to the development of African countries. They provide employment opportunities, a market for raw materials, the development of transport networks and international friendship to the countries where products are exported.

Problems facing manufacturing industries in Africa

Manufacturing industries face several challenges in processing, transporting and marketing their products. These challenges hinder their growth and development. After doing tasks in activity 26.5 you will be able to find out the problems facing manufacturing industries in Africa.

Activity 26.5 Understanding the problems facing manufacturing industries in Africa

In groups, carry out a textbook or Internet on the problems facing manufacturing industries in Africa research and do the tasks that follow.

1 What are the problems faced by Africa in developing manufacturing industries?

2 Write your findings in your notebooks.

3 Present your work to the rest of the class through a discussion.

You have learnt that much as Africa has abundant local raw materials, it still imports large quantities of manufactured products, including cement and refined petroleum. This h hindered the growth and development of manufacturing industries in Africa.

Effects of manufacturing industries on the environment

Even though industrialisation is important for the economic growth and development of African countries, it is also harmful to the environment. Amongst other things, industrial processes can cause climate change, and pollution to water, air and land. After doing tasks in activity 26.6, you will explore the effects of manufacturing industries on the environment

Activity 26.6 Exploring the effects of manufacturing industries on the environment

In groups, conduct a field study on a factory in your community and do the following tasks.

1 Observe and write down the activities taking place in the factory.

2 Identify different products produced in the factory visited

3 Identify the positive and negative impacts of the factory on the people’s environment and the economy and copy and fill table 26.1.

Industrialisation in South Africa

South Africa is the leading industrialised nation in Africa. It earns a big percentage from the industrial sector. The main industries include chemicals, food, transport equipment, iron and steel.

The metal and engineering sector employs an estimated number of 325000 people by over 900 companies. Many other Southern African countries such as Namibia and Botswana have industrial development programs in place.

These are frequently reviewed by the Southern African Development Community(SADC). After doing tasks in activity 26.7, you will find out more about manufacturing industries in South Africa.

Activity 26.7 Understanding Industrialisation in South Africa

In groups, carry out library or textbook research on industrialisation in South Africa and do the tasks that follow.

1 Draw a sketch map of South Africa and on it mark and name the major;

(a) Industrialised areas, (b) industries in South Africa (c) What are the factors that lead to their growth?

South Africa is heavily industrialised because it was in contact with developed countries for a long time before many other African countries. The Dutch settled in South Africa and developed the country.

As industries were developing in Europe, they were also developing in South Africa. Manufacturing industries are the biggest contributors to South Africa’s national income.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter, you have learnt that:

▲ manufacturing industries involve the processing of raw materials into finished products.

▲ the factors that influence the distribution and development of manufacturing industries include; presence of raw materials, availability of capital, labour and market.

▲ the benefits of manufacturing industries in African countries include; providing employment opportunities, international relationships, foreign exchange through exporting and development of infrastructures.

▲ the problems of developing manufacturing industries in African countries include; competition, price fluctuations on the world market and inadequate funds. the examples of areas with manufacturing industries include; Cape town, Durban, Accra and Tema.