African Governance’: Challenges And Their Implication,2019

African Governance’: Challenges And Their Implication,2019

There are many descriptions of globalization by different scholars, but, what stands out is the worldwide interaction, culturally, economically, politically, and socially.  Globalization is the interconnection  (transportation, internet connection, and accessibility), deterritorialization (participation in activities by people regardless of the geographical location and speed of social movements.

According to Chester, Crocker,’African Governance’: Challenges And Their Implication,2019

Africa has mostly left out of the discussion on globalization has been termed ‘dark continent, ‘but is Africa a dark continent? The ‘dark’ term emanated from the challenges that have to engulf Africa for years, for example, the Ebola outbreak, which has killed thousands of people in Africa. S Helleringer, A Noymer – The Lancet Global Health, 2015. On a positive note, Africa has played a vital role in globalization. Ranging from being a source of resources that are for developers to the provision of the quality professional workforce that develops the world.

Cultural globalization

The widespread change in cultural activities and values in Africa is noticeable. Cultural homogenization is a product of globalization. Western culture has dominated Africa on a broad scope; it is the hallmark in African globalization. It mostly entails the food, dressing, music, and usage of notable Western brands such as Coca-Cola, which has dominated the region.

It is easy to notice the change of African dressing to the frequent use of blue jeans among the youth. Most African urban restaurants sell global available all over the world.

Passing through urban centers, the kind of music that plays in clubs and other entertainment zones are mostly pop. The pop-culture includes the forms of personal and social expression available, which are most visible. It encompasses the style of music, theatre, and other forms of art. The type of dressing, hairstyle, and slogans among the youth is influenced by the pop stars whom they quickly follow through various social media platforms.

Other international cultures, such as language, cannot be undermined in the subject of globalization in Africa. Historically, Africa has over 1,000 indigenous languages, which over time, are extinct because of the introduction and use of dominant foreign languages, namely; English, French, Arabic, Italian, and Portuguese. In most countries in the region, people speak indigenous languages as the first language while the foreign (mostly European) as second and third. Government meetings are usually done in European languages, and also schools instructed with those languages which were introduced during the colonial era and globalization. Trade, social media, interactions, and free movement of people across territorial borders play a significant role in language uniformity. (Kießling, Roland, and Maarten Mous. “Urban youth languages in Africa.” Anthropological Linguistics (2004): 303-341).

According to The McKinsey Global Institute,2015, more than 40 percent of the Africans live in urban areas. There is a significant increase in these statistics noting that less than 20 percent of the people were living in urban areas late 90’s. The significance can be based on the shift in culture, especially among the youth. And of course, the movement to metropolitan areas has resulted in many challenges. According to Jones, Jeremy L.(2010), ”Nothing is Straight in Zimbabwe’: The Rise of the Kukiya-Kiya Economy 2000-2008′, Journal of Southern African Studies, 36: 2, 285 — 299, Criminal activities such as theft and money laundering have become the order of the day to the leaned young Zimbabweans in the urban who could not find meaningful jobs. Others engage in prostitution and conman ship in the name of ‘Kukiya-kiya’(making do).In other words, we can say that it’s a man eat man society in these urban centers.

Internet connection and accessibility

There has been an increase in internet usage in Africa; statistics show that 21.8 percent of Africans access the internet. The African region has been making strides in keeping with the world in terms of internet connection. However, inadequate infrastructure and poverty become a dent in the provision of the internet in various parts of the region.

In terms of accessibility, various countries have improved their roads and airways to facilitate more comfortable transportation of people and goods. Others, such as Ethiopia and Morocco, have developed high-speed electric trains to boost movements. It is worth noting that globalization encourages deterritorialization, and Africa is one of the continents that allows free movement of people among the nations easily. For example, East African nationals are allowed to move between countries just with their identity cards. The result of the movement is the ease of business and cultural exchange among the people.

Economy

Data from the African Development Bank shows that the region’s economic performance is improving, and the current GDP growth is estimating at 3.5 percent. Six out fastest-growing economies are in Africa. The change in regulations that favor business has attracted various industries to the region of Africa. These factors, availability of market mostly targeting the youth, cheap labor, infrastructural development, and availability of raw materials

Market availability is as a result of the robust population that has been growing significantly despite challenges such as HIV & AIDS death, high child mortality rate, and Malaria. It is projected that 40% of the world will be living in Africa in the year 2050. The population mostly consisting of the youth hence providing a ready market for goods from the industries. Ethiopian textile industry is booming because the market is readily available; therefore, more Chinese companies are being set up there. Currently, more than two hundred firms operate there employing a lot of youth and selling clothes and shoes to one hundred and five million populations.

South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, and Kenya are countries that have attracted numerous global firms such as GOOGLE, Toyota, Coca-Cola, among other firms. The attraction is due to the significant investment in infrastructure and a pool of professions thanks to academic institutions.

It beats the logic of the African globalization critics how South Africa managed to host the 2010 World Cup. Mineral resources available in Africa are used to develop other parts of the world. These minerals have enabled the region to open up for urbanization. Nigeria is one of the largest exporters of oil has better roads compared to countries with fewer minerals. South Africa boasts of its gold, a world-leading exporter. Other countries, such as Kenya and Tanzania, largely depend on tourism to boost their economies. Its indeed a diverse continent that has got a lot of potentials if the opportunities are exploited. However, all the strides are meaningless if there are widened disparities in the region. AS the continent celebrate the six fastest-growing economies, they also have to deal with the fact that all the ten poorest countries in the world in 2019 are from Africa. According to Jones, Jeremy L. (2010), ”Nothing is Straight in Zimbabwe’: The Rise of the Kukiya-kiya Economy 2000-2008′, Journal of Southern African Studies, 36: 2, 285 — 299, Zimbabwe in the year 2008 experienced economic chaos, decade long economic slide, highest rate of inflation and inferior public services, cholera outbreaks and a high HIV rate ever experience summing up the African problems as globalization takes effect.

Governance

Government is the determinant of peace and economic stability since it plays a significant role through decision making, implementation of policies, and control of critical resources. Most African countries are democratic, an introduction by the colonist to ensure that the rights of the people are exercised. Few countries have experienced a smooth transition. Many others have suffered under the ‘democratic system ‘due to power struggles and high levels of corruption. Citing Jeremy’s “Nothing is Straight in Zimbabwe’: The Rise of the Kukiya-kiya Economy”. Poor governance has led to instability in countries such as Somalia, Burundi, and DRC Congo. Countries that would have been economic giants of the continent due the vast resources available in their country are languishing in poverty and chaos.

In conclusion, Africa is playing a critical role in the development of the world. Because of its resources, population, professionals, and consistently growing economy despite leadership challenges that are inhibiting steps made. It’s also prudent to note the disparity between economies in the region.

Work cited

Chester,Crocker,’African Governance’:Challenges And Their Implication ,2019

David E. O’Connor (1 January 2006). (Encyclopedia Of The Global Economy A Guide For Students And Researchers. Academic Foundation. pp. 391)

(Kießling, Roland, and Maarten Mous. “Urban youth languages in Africa.” Anthropological Linguistics (2004): 303-341).

Jeremy Jones, ‘Nothing is Straight in Zimbabwe’: The Rise of the Kukiya-kiya Economy,Zimbabwe  in the year 2008

MacEwan, Arthur. “What is globalization?” Radical Teacher 61 (2001): 2.

Gamora, Gedion, and K. Mathews. “Ethio-China relations: Challenges and prospects.” Chinese and African Perspectives on China in Africa (2010): 9