Economic impact of colonialism on Africa

Economic Impact of Colonialism on Africa

The history of Africa was changed by the burden of colonialism. The alteration in political organization of Africa brought about by Colonialism impacted the style of thought, customs of living and their cultural progress. Before the partition of Africa by main European power the economy of Africa progressing in all fields, mostly in the field of trade. Colonialism had both positive and negative impact on Africa.

The European policies also spoiled traditional economies and vividly changed the style of land tenure and labor. The colonial system left many natives broke and landless. Africans depended on foreign aid due to the colonial government emphasis on cash crops. The British introduced forced taxes on Africans paid in cash so as to boost the manual labour force (Duignan, P., & Gann, L. H. 1988).  

The colonial government brought development in the field of education, for example in Kenya in 1911; they decided to share the load of providing education to Africans with the missionaries. In 1913 the established the first Government African School in Machakos which became a centre for Technical and Teacher training. Colonialism brought developments of infrastructure like roads, ports and railway (Boahen, A. A., & Unesco1990).

In conclusion the colonialism brought more negative impact on the economy of the African states. For example the development of infrastructures was intended to utilize the resources of Africans 

Reference

Boahen, A. A., & Unesco. (1990). Africa under Colonial Domination, 1880-1935. London: J. Currey.Duignan, P., & Gann, L. H. (1988). Bibliographic Guide to Colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press