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Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
The lack of economic opportunities for an increasingly urbanized African younger generation is a major challenge. The median age of 19 makes Africa the world's youngest continent. Megacities are growing up in places such as Lagos and Kinshasha as millions leave subsistence farming to go to cities. Unlike Asia and Latin American countries men and women are coming to shantytowns in cities at a time when Africa is much poorer for a similar level of urbanization that Asian and Latin American nations reached decades earlier.
In 1993 this WSJ analysis and graphs show the Asian emerging economies and sub Saharan Africa had similar GDP per capita of $2415, by 2019 this was $4000 for Africa and $12,000 for Asian emerging economies. Latin America was at $10,000 in 1993 and in 2019 was at about $15,000. The gap widened considerably between Asia and African countries.
Asian emerging economies increased GDP to 5 time from the same starting point as Africa in 1993, Africa doubled GDP over the period of 25 years to 2019. Latin America started from a much higher point and increased GDP by only 50% over 25 years.
Asian economies that performed better over this period did better because of stable even entrenched governments such as in Singapore with Le Kuan Yew and in China with stable successive governments under CPC leadership of prime minister Deng. The difference in Asia was a commitment across all classes and groups to development, a sense of development as a way to make up for the years lost under colonialism of foreign powers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A sense of correcting historical injustice and wrongs. This is a missing ingredient in the processes unfolding in Latin America and Africa in the last 25 years.
Widening rich-poor gap in the Arab world and Africa
01/15/2011
The lack of economic opportunity under decades long one party rule in the Arab world and Africa. The problem has long plagued countries in Africa, from Nigeria to the Arab world.
Grouped Articles
Rich, Poor and a Rift Exposed by Unrest
New York Times 01/30/2011
Africa's natural resources: Spread the wealth
Economist 02/12/2011
Arab economies: Throwing money at the street
Economist 03/12/2011
Nigeriaâs President Wins Re-Election
New York Times 04/18/2011
Nigeria's business capital: A rare good man
Economist 05/07/2011
Hope in Nigeria: Hail the useful chief
Economist 05/28/2011
The IMF in Africa in 2016 following the collapse in commodity prices
03/05/2016
Grouped Articles
IMF’s African Push Reopens Old Wounds
Wall Street Journal 03/05/2016
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Mining riches and wars in Africa.
07/13/2009
Wars in Sierra Leone and other countries that stem from mining riches in African countries. The efforts of various army groups to capture the mining areas and the resulting wars and destruction.
Grouped Articles
War Crimes Trial to Hear From Ex-Liberia President
New York Times 07/13/2009
Africa's natural resources: Spread the wealth
Economist 02/12/2011
In West Africa, Democracy Struggles to Survive
New York Times 07/29/2011
Keeping Petrodollars Out of Despots’ Pockets
BusinessWeek 08/25/2011
Hot Commodity: Research on Prices
Wall Street Journal 04/26/2012
Clashes Cast Pall on South Africa's Economy
Wall Street Journal 08/18/2012
The WSJ on the withdrawal of the European governments from the Middle East and North Africa, the Obama administration's similar policies, and the refugee crisis in Europe
09/08/2015
What happens in North Africa, does not necessarily remain there, says this WSJ editorial, even if European governments and the Obama administration would prefer it to be that way. The withdrawal from the Middle East and North Africa under Hollande, Merkel and Obama, says the Journal, has led to the situation where the entire region is unravelling and being torn apart, leading to millions of refugees in first Turkey and Jordan, and now in Europe. True it says there are risks in intervening, but points to the Iraq where normalcy of life was returning to Baghdad by the end of the Bush administration, and the unraveling beginning only with Hollande (the departure of Sarkozy leaving Cameron alone), and the Obama administration's withdrawal from the Middle East (no action in Libya and Syria, and withdrawal in Iraq), Germany's traditional non-interventional role.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/08/2015
How we got to the Syria mess - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/02/2015
More waffling on Syria - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/02/2015
Wall Street Journal 10/02/2015
Merkel Links Turkey’s E.U. Hopes to Stemming Flow of Refugees
New York Times 10/18/2015
British Jets Hit ISIS in Syria After Parliament Authorizes Airstrikes
New York Times 12/02/2015
The impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on Africa- the situation in Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, S. Africa, and other countries with depreciating currencies
03/25/2015
The lack of $30 million in dollar funds leads to closing of a refinery and long lines in Lusaka,, Zambia. A large supermarket in Kampala, Uganda, has empty shelves for imported products as it becomes costlier to import with a depreciating currency. Flights on a Portugal run airline into Angola now cost more. Infrastructure improvements are being delayed because of the extra cost. Throughout Africa one can see the impact of an appreciating U.S. dollar.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 03/25/2015
Businesses Seek Out New African Frontiers
Wall Street Journal 04/01/2015
African Pensions Funds Invest in Infrastructure Projects
Wall Street Journal 05/08/2015
Mining Collapse Cripples Africa’s Dreams of Prosperity
Wall Street Journal 03/04/2016
IMF’s African Push Reopens Old Wounds
Wall Street Journal 03/05/2016
Nigeria Grapples With Abrupt End to Rapid Growth
Wall Street Journal 04/12/2016
Food shortages, food price inflation reducing access to food, and the prospect of increasing malnutrition in Africa in 2014-2015
10/10/2014
Following the Ebola crisis in West Africa is another crisis related to food shortages and food price inflation reducing access to food for needy families across all of Africa from Uganda to South Africa.
Grouped Articles
Rising Food Prices Make Africa Fight Ebola on Empty Stomach
Wall Street Journal 10/10/2014
Wall Street Journal 03/25/2015
Liberia, Ravaged by Ebola, Faces a Future Without It
New York Times 05/08/2015
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Corruption, one party rule and imbalances in development in Africa
02/12/2011
High growth rates in Africa can be misleading as most of the wealth goes to the ruling elites. Much of the growth comes from mining, drilling and exporting resources. There is no transparency about the wealth generated and its use, much of it going to the ruling party. When investments are made there are stark imbalances- Angola has 1500 doctors for a population of 18 million, there are not enough doctors to staff 24 new hospitals.
Grouped Articles
Storied Party of Mandela Faces South Africa Unrest
New York Times 11/09/2013
China Slips in Corruption Perceptions Report
New York Times 12/02/2014
Africa's natural resources: Spread the wealth
Economist 02/12/2011
Angola's wealth: Mine, all mine
Economist 02/12/2011
Angola's capital: Costly even for Croesus
Economist 02/12/2011
In West Africa, Democracy Struggles to Survive
New York Times 07/29/2011
Economic growth in sub-Saharan countries of Africa.
10/26/2010
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 10/26/2010
In West Africa, Democracy Struggles to Survive
New York Times 07/29/2011
Opinion: 'Marshall Plan with Africa' creates enormous expectations | Germany | DW.COM | 18.01.2017
DW.COM 01/18/2017
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Electricity development in African countries- Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Liberia, Ethiopia
10/23/2010
Grouped Articles
New York Times 07/15/2013
Electricity in Nigeria: Let there be light
Economist 10/23/2010
Can Moguls Untangle Nigeria's Power Lines?
Wall Street Journal 04/24/2014
Liberia’s Ebola Crisis Puts President in Harsh Light
New York Times 10/30/2014
Nigeria’s Tumbling Currency a Victim of Falling Oil Prices
Wall Street Journal 12/03/2014
Wall Street Journal 03/25/2015
Foreign investment in Nigeria, South Africa and other African countries
05/20/2014
Grouped Articles
Foreign Investment in Africa Seen at Record $80 Billion in 2014, Report Shows
Wall Street Journal 05/20/2014
South Africa Faces Credit Scrutiny Amid Blackouts
Wall Street Journal 12/14/2014
Businesses Seek Out New African Frontiers
Wall Street Journal 04/01/2015
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Infrastructure project financing in African countries
05/08/2015
Grouped Articles
African Pensions Funds Invest in Infrastructure Projects
Wall Street Journal 05/08/2015
Opinion: 'Marshall Plan with Africa' creates enormous expectations | Germany | DW.COM | 18.01.2017
DW.COM 01/18/2017
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Attahiru Jega, vice chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria- making Nigeria's first fair election possible as head of the Electoral Commission
08/31/2010
The immense responsibility resting on Jega's shoulders of setting the right example for Africa by ensuring a free and fair election.
Grouped Articles
Calm Academic Tries to Tame Nigeriaâs Electoral Chaos
New York Times 08/31/2010
Nigeria Votes in Sharply Contested Presidential Election
New York Times 03/28/2015
Muhammadu Buhari Defeats Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria Election
Wall Street Journal 04/01/2015
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Germany's aid to Africa- a new "Marshall Plan" in 2017-2018
01/20/2017
Grouped Articles
Opinion: 'Marshall Plan with Africa' creates enormous expectations | Germany | DW.COM | 18.01.2017
DW.COM 01/18/2017
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
The drought situation in Africa and the famine conditions in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya in 2009
09/24/2009
Shortages of food aid as price of maize, the staple, has doubled.
Grouped Articles
Rising Food Prices Make Africa Fight Ebola on Empty Stomach
Wall Street Journal 10/10/2014
Economist 09/24/2009
BusinessWeek 04/28/2011
How America Leads the Fight Against Africa's Famine
Wall Street Journal 08/16/2011
Ethiopians contemplate a nation without Prime Minister Meles Zenawi - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/08/2012
Narrow Victory Seen in Kenya Presidential Race
Wall Street Journal 03/09/2013
Japan's investment in African development 2012-2015
05/19/2013
The J-SUMIT Conference in Tokyo in May 2013 which leads to $2 billion in committments for Japanese investment in African countries. African countries welcome the investment after a decade of surging Chinese investment in Africa.
Grouped Articles
Japan Pledges $2 Billion for African Projects
Wall Street Journal 05/19/2013
Foreign Investment in Africa Seen at Record $80 Billion in 2014, Report Shows
Wall Street Journal 05/20/2014
Opinion: 'Marshall Plan with Africa' creates enormous expectations | Germany | DW.COM | 18.01.2017
DW.COM 01/18/2017
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
The Economist 03/09/2019
Nigeria's economy and the crisis in 2015 with lower oil prices, depreciating currency and decline in foreign investment
03/31/2015
The insurgency in the northeast leads to lack of security, leading to a decline in foreign investment. This adds to the problems created by lower oil prices in 2015, and the depreciating currency. Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner was elected by a 10 point vote margin in March 2015 to help improve the economic situation in Nigeria, Africa's largest country. The U.S. and Europe show a willingness to help the new Nigerian government tackle the many problems it faces.
Grouped Articles
Businesses Seek Out New African Frontiers
Wall Street Journal 04/01/2015
In Nigeria’s Election, Muhammadu Buhari Defeats Goodluck Jonathan
New York Times 03/31/2015
Muhammadu Buhari, a Familiar, and Now Less Divisive, Choice in Nigerian Election
New York Times 03/31/2015
Nigeria’s election: Three cheers for democracy
Economist 04/05/2015
Africa and commodity prices: No longer the kiss of death
Economist 04/30/2015
Former Strongman, Taking Over Presidency, Raises Hope in Nigeria
New York Times 05/26/2015
Debt, credit ratings and borrowing costs for African countries- Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Angola, Rwanda
02/10/2015
Bond issuance by African countries which was only $1 billion in 2000, reached $11 billion in 2013, $8 billion in 2014, with the pace slowing in 2015 as the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates in late 2015. African countries need infrastructure financing. IMF and World Bank loans are providing additional financing. African countries compete for western investors with Romania, Bolivia, Guatemala and other smaller developing countries.
Grouped Articles
Africa’s Bond Bonanza Finds Fewer Takers
Wall Street Journal 02/10/2015
Wall Street Journal 03/25/2015
African Pensions Funds Invest in Infrastructure Projects
Wall Street Journal 05/08/2015
Opinion: 'Marshall Plan with Africa' creates enormous expectations | Germany | DW.COM | 18.01.2017
DW.COM 01/18/2017
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
China's investment in Zambia, Kenya, Senegal and other African countries
06/27/2012
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 05/22/2015
African Economies, and Hopes for New Era, Are Shaken by China
New York Times 01/25/2016
New York Times 06/27/2012
Narrow Victory Seen in Kenya Presidential Race
Wall Street Journal 03/09/2013
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
The Economist 03/09/2019
Creating a model country for Africa, with a healthy economy, and honest, healthy democratic government.
04/19/2007
The efforts in Ghana. How Nigeria and Kenya, the two other places wioth a British past fall short, with corruption, governance along tribal lines, and flawed elections. The related efforts to promote agricultural improvement, and help the farmers of Africa.
Grouped Articles
Zambia's Leader Hands Over Power
Wall Street Journal 09/24/2011
An Accidental Leader Stirs Hopes in Nigeria
New York Times 02/20/2010
Ghana Court Rejects Challenge to President's Election
Wall Street Journal 08/30/2013
Nigeria Finance Cleanup Gains Momentum
Wall Street Journal 08/06/2010
Nigeria's doughty presidential candidate: Mr Anti-Corruption joins the fray
Economist 10/30/2010
Long-Delayed Vote Takes Place in Ivory Coast
New York Times 10/31/2010
The World Bank in Africa 2012-2015
05/23/2013
Grouped Articles
World Bank Plans $1 Billion for Congo
Wall Street Journal 05/23/2013
IMF’s African Push Reopens Old Wounds
Wall Street Journal 03/05/2016
Opinion | Mission Impossible: World Bank
WSJ 02/06/2019
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Economic conditions and incomes of black South Africans since the end of Apartheid in 1994.
10/12/2012
The income gap between white and black South Africans is wider in 2012 than it was in 1994 with the end of Apartheid.
Grouped Articles
Obama Visits Prison Where Mandela Was Jailed
New York Times 06/30/2013
Storied Party of Mandela Faces South Africa Unrest
New York Times 11/09/2013
How Mandela Shifted Views on Freedom of Markets
New York Times 12/09/2013
Racism outlives Mandela in rural South Africa - The Washington Post
Washington Post 12/14/2013
South Africa Faces Credit Scrutiny Amid Blackouts
Wall Street Journal 12/14/2014
The Betrayal of Mandela’s Promise
Wall Street Journal 08/20/2015
Beginnings of a shift to Africa (Ethiopia) of apparel makers in 2015
07/08/2015
Apparel factories shifted to Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, as wages increased in China. The apparel makers are now shifting to countries such as Ethiopia in Africa, as the search for low wage countries with political stability and basic infrastructure continues. Ethiopia is landlocked and lacks a port. It is building a rail connection to neighboring Djibouti to export garments.
Grouped Articles
Search for Ever Cheaper Garment Factories Leads to Africa
Wall Street Journal 07/08/2015
Ethiopia’s Human Rights Activists See Scant Hope in Obama’s Visit
New York Times 07/26/2015
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
Democracy and term limits in Africa- the improving record for the period 2000-2015 and the work ahead
03/29/2015
Grouped Articles
Share the Pork, Be President for Life
New York Times 03/29/2015
Young, Urban and Poor: Africans Fight Back
WSJ 02/05/2019
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