Poverty in Africa; Causes, Solutions and the Future

Despite its claim to large reserves of resources, Africa remains the poorest continent in the world. The incidence of poverty in Africa is multifaceted and cannot be traced to a single cause. This paper examines some potential causes of poverty in Africa. Many factors including corruption, poor governance, weak Institutions, intractable wars and conflicts, unfavorable trade policies, among others are discussed as causes of poverty on the continent. With the causes identified, finding feasible solutions to poverty remains a great challenge for African leaders and countries. It is proposed here that any step toward addressing poverty on the continent should begin with drastic reduction in corruption which, according to Transparency International, costs the continent $150 billion annually. I suggest that inclusive, responsive and accountable governments are a necessity for combating corruption. The importance of strong institutions and the fair distribution of resources are also emphasized along with long-term developmental plans.